How Frail I Am
Psalm 39:4-5 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
4 Lord, make me to know my end and [to appreciate] the measure of my days—what it is; let me know and realize how frail I am [how transient is my stay here].
5 Behold, You have made my days as [short as] handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight. Truly every man at his best is merely a breath! Selah [pause, and think calmly of that]!
Death, as unanticipated as it might be, is guaranteed for all of us. When someone passes, they serve as a reminder to us that our stay on this earth is transient, or impermanent. At a designated time, we will transition from this earthly realm to the spiritual realm where we will reside permanently.
Notably, Psalm 39 verse 5 states that every man at his best state is merely a breath. In other words, your best worldly moment on earth is all together vain and fleeting in the end.
Your best on earth is particularly meaningless if you are unable to stand boldly before the throne at your appointed time. This is because you were unfruitful in your intended purpose.
In Luke 13, Jesus tells us the parable of the barren fig tree. Although the tree was not producing fruit, the keeper of the vineyard gave the tree an opportunity to grow by nurturing it. However, if the tree was to produce no fruit, it would be cut down never having carried out its purpose.
Let us never become too prideful and blinded that we forget to be intentional with the limited time we have by serving the Lord. Let us be humbled by our frailty, never taking the opportunities we are given for granted.
If you are unsure about your spiritual condition, Galatians 5 tells us what is of the flesh (carnal human nature that can be influenced by the adversary) and what is of the (Holy) Spirit.
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: ]adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
If your life reflects the works of the flesh written in Galatians, it is not too late to repent. The truth is that some will make it in to the Kingdom of Heaven but most will not (Matthew 7:13-14). The good news is that if you still have breath in your body, you have the opportunity to make sure you are one of the few.
In this moment you can make the resolve to surrender your life to Jesus Christ and allow Him to transform you and give your heart Godly desires that align with His will for your life (Psalm 37:4). You can make the choice to serve Him and allow His word to be a lamp to your feet (Psalm 119:105). Make the most of the time that has been given to you. Tomorrow is not promised.