New years, birthdays, funerals, and other things remind us of how fast our days are passing from us. Disease, disaster and death come and shorten our days. We pray with the Psalmist “O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days— you whose years endure throughout all generations!” (Psalm 102:24 ESV). No matter how you cut it, three-score and ten is not long at all. “So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Turn, O Lord! How long? Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:12–14 NRSV).
