Bible Text: Psalm 90:10 | Speaker: Dr. Harold J. Sala | Series: Guidelines For Living | “The length of our days is seventy years–or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

Philip Larkin, a name often unrecognized in many corners of the world, was one of the foremost poets of the 20th century. A complex individual, whose writings often appear to be somewhat dark and foreboding, Larkin wrote a letter dated April 13, 1976 to Kingsley Amis, a former classmate. At the time, Larkin was 53 years of age. Remembering the words of Moses, who said, “The length of our days is seventy years,” he wrote, “If we equate the seven decades of a man’s life with seven days of the week, we are coming up to Friday luncheon.”

Larkin had a novel thought in comparing the seventy years of a person’s life with the seven days of the week. That means you are born at 12:01 A.M. Monday morning and finish the week when the clock strikes midnight on the following Sunday evening. If you are 30 years old at the present time, it’s Wednesday for you. If you are 50, it’s Friday. Then I started thinking about that personally. Based on a seven day week, I realized that I was born in Denver, Colorado on Monday morning, met my sweetheart and married early Wednesday morning, starting Guidelines shortly thereafter, and moved to the Philippines Wednesday evening.

Then I began to think about where I am now in relationship to what Larkin wrote. I admit it, I was a bit shocked, even slightly disturbed–thinking, “I’m already off the chart.” No, I’m not afraid to die, but I admit to having a kindred spirit with Mark Twain, who said he wished he knew where he was going to die because he would never go near the place.

We, of course, never know when the week gets cut short, or as others do, who live beyond seventy and manage to see Monday or Tuesday of the second week. But rarely does anyone get to Wednesday–when the person would reach the century mark. It is no wonder that Moses added, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

What did Moses have in mind when he talked about applying our hearts unto wisdom? Another translation put it, “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” There is always wisdom in making preparation for a journey. Included in your travel plans are how you are going to get there, and—yes, where you will stay when you arrive.

Jesus rebuked a wealthy man whose attitude was, “I will build bigger barns and grow a larger business,” when he did not know that he was to be struck down at the midnight hour. Jesus called him a fool.

The reality is that life’s journey is over altogether too soon. For some it may be on Wednesday, when they are in their 30’s. For others it is later in the week, but eventually we cross the threshold and face God.

Philip Larkin brought a person’s life down to a seven-day period, which we can readily relate to; however, he never got to finish his week, because he died at the age of 63 from cancer—early Sunday morning, considering 70 years as 7 days of the week.

Two questions as I conclude today’s commentary: First, on what day of the week are you? Second question, what plans do you have for the rest of the week, including reservations for an eternal home in the heavens at the end of life’s journey? Think about it. It may be later in the week than you would care to acknowledge. It seems like it for me.

Resource reading: Psalms 90