The Days Ordained for Me

“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them” (Psalm 139:15-16).

I don’t know if there is more comforting passage in all of the Psalms. Think of it, God was present at our conception, and from that vantage point also determined the number of days that each of us would sojourn on planet earth. He alone knows both, our birthday as well as our date of expiration. You might ask how do you find comfort in that?

For me, it means that I will not leave this earth one minute early or one minute late, as determined by God’s Sovereign plan for my life. Whether it be by natural death, disease, or accident, or old age, the day of my passing is fixed. Therefore, I can live confidently today, as well as every other day that God has determined.

George Washington was noted for his bravery on the battlefield. Part of the reason of his bravery was rooted in Psalm 139:16. From which he reasoned, if today is my day, there’s nothing that I can do about it. If today is not my day there is nothing my enemy can do about it.

This is why as Christians we do not let fear rule our lives. Our days are in the hands of a Sovereign God who has ordered the events of our lives. Nothing can enter our lives that is not for our good and His glorious purposes. Therefore, we can say a hearty Amen, to the words of the Apostle Paul, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purposes” (Romans 8:28).

Therefore, we can face each day with courage and confidence and boldness, for our times are truly in His hands.

And since we do not know the day that God will call us home, it might be good to pray this prayer from the Puritans. “May I speak each word as if it be my last word and walk each step as if it were my final step. If my life should end today, let this be my best day.”