The oft-quoted verse from Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” usually gives us the impression that we are to be reminded of the brevity of our lives on earth. However, upon a closer look on other verses in the Old Testament, which use the same original Hebrew word for “number”, i.e. “manah” (Daniel 1:5, Jonah 1:17) it appears to indicate to us the different layers of meaning for the word “manah”. This would include “to appoint’ and “to prepare”. By opening up this spiritual principle of the possibility of “appointing” or “preparing” our day, we begin to understand that if we fail to prepare our days, we will live a “victim’s” lifestyle instead of a victor’s. At the same time, without an intentional “preparation” on our part, we will allow the day to “shape” us, i.e. our past and the uncertainties of life will begin to mold us and shape us. When we recognize God is the maker of every “day” in our lives, we begin to learn to consecrate each day and ourselves to Him. Further, knowing that His purposes cannot be thwarted, we would gain a heart of wisdom by surrendering and yielding ourselves to God even when we do not understand, fully trusting that His purposes will prevail in our lives.
Psalm 90:12, Psalm 118:24