The Divine Arithmetic of Life
E. J. Hardy, M.A. Psalm 90:12-17 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.… If ever we ought to practise what has been called the Divine arithmetic of life, it is at the close of one year and the beginning of another. In garrison towns there is a cannon fired at noon, and when people not accustomed to it hear it for the first time, they generally start and say, "Oh my!" so that the gun is often called by soldiers the "Oh my!" People are startled by the noise, but they might start, too, at the thought of how quickly each day passes. How much more ought we to feel the passing of a year !We have known fond mothers who got their children photographed annually to compare the pictures and see the progress that had been made. Were our spiritual photographs compared with those of last year, would we be found to have grown in grace? Have we been as happy as we might have been; have we done any acts of purely unselfish kindness; has any one been much the better for our existence during the past year; have we offered up one uninterrupted prayer? Let the walls of our chambers speak; let our churches, houses, offices speak. Are we more trusting in God and more useful to man? (E. J. Hardy, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. WEB: So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.