How does Psalm 90:10 connect with Ephesians 5:15-16 on living wisely? Verse Spotlight Psalm 90:10: “The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” Ephesians 5:15-16: “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Shared Theme: The Fleeting Nature of Time • Psalm 90:10 reminds us our earthly lifespan is limited and quickly passing. • Ephesians 5:15-16 builds on that reality by urging deliberate, wise living—making every moment count. • Together, the passages form a two-part truth: life is brief (Psalm 90) and therefore must be stewarded wisely (Ephesians 5). Living Wisely: A God-Centered Response 1. Recognize life’s brevity – Psalm 39:4-5; James 4:14 echo the same urgency: life is a vapor. 2. Walk carefully (“pay careful attention”) – Scripture calls for intentional choices, not drift (Proverbs 4:26-27). 3. Choose wisdom over folly – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). 4. Redeem the time – “Redeeming” means buying back every opportunity for eternal purposes. 5. Guard against the evil age – Because “the days are evil,” vigilance is needed (1 Peter 5:8). Practical Application: Redeeming the Seventy or Eighty Years • Schedule daily time in the Word; let Scripture shape priorities (Psalm 119:105). • Invest in people—family, church, neighbors—for eternal impact (1 Thessalonians 2:8). • Serve with your gifts now, not later (1 Peter 4:10). • Speak the gospel when doors open (Colossians 4:5-6). • Live with eternity in view; labor and sorrow gain purpose when offered to God (1 Corinthians 15:58). Additional Scriptural Echoes • Colossians 3:2—“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” • Psalm 90:12—“So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.” • 2 Corinthians 4:18—Focus on the unseen, eternal realities. In short, Psalm 90:10 provides the sobering countdown, and Ephesians 5:15-16 supplies the marching orders: because our days are few, live each one wisely, purposefully, and for the glory of God. |