“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” — Psalm 90:10
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” — James 4:14
Life, no matter how long it seems, is short in the sight of God. Moses reminds us that even the longest life is “soon cut off,” and James compares our life to a vapor, here for a moment, then gone. We plan, we build, we strive — but time moves quickly, and eternity is sure.
Life is brief — so live it for eternal purpose.
Illustration #1 — Methuselah (Genesis 5:27)
Methuselah lived 969 years — the longest recorded life. Yet even his life ended: “and he died.” The longest life is still short compared to eternity. Longevity does not change the certainty of death. What matters is not how long we live, but how we live before God.
Illustration #2 — The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16–20)
The rich fool said, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years…” but God said, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” He planned for time but ignored eternity. His life, like a vapor, vanished in a moment.
- Life is uncertain — “ye know not what shall be on the morrow.”
- Life is unpredictable — it can end suddenly.
- Life is unrepeatable — once it’s gone, it’s gone.
So we must not live for this world alone, but for Christ. Every day is an opportunity to serve, to give the Gospel, to invest in eternity.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12
Don’t spend your life like it will last forever — live it like it could end today, and invest it where it will last forever.