"So teach us to number our days,....Not merely to count them, how many they are, in an arithmetical way; there is no need of divine teachings for that…nor is this to be understood of calculating or reckoning of time to come; no man can count the number of days he has to live…this the Lord teaches not, nor should we be solicitous to know: but rather the meaning of the petition is, that God would teach us to number our days, as if the present one was the last; for we cannot boast of tomorrow; we know not but this day, or night, our souls may be required of us: but the sense is, that God would teach us seriously to meditate on, and consider of, the shortness of our days…that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom; to consider our latter end, and what will become of us hereafter; which is a branch of wisdom so to do; to seek the way of salvation by Christ; to seek to Christ, the wisdom of God, for it; to fear the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom; and to walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise…for unless a man is taught of God, and by his Spirit convinced of sin…he will never be concerned… nor inquire [of] the way of salvation, nor heartily apply to Christ for it…." – John Gill |
