Decembers always make it feel like time has passed so quickly.  It will be 2014 in just a few weeks and 2013 will become history forever.  Perhaps you are making the final sprint at work; hoping that the year will end on a good note or you may be making plans for a long year end vacation; some of us may be busy preparing for Christmas and New Year celebrations.  There is something, however, that we cannot miss out – we need to set aside time to reflect on the past year.

The author of Psalm 90, Moses said, “All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.  Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.  If only we knew the power of your anger!  Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.  Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  (Psalm 90:9-12)

Moses wrote Psalm 90 in his later years, exclaiming that life is bitter, short and empty.  Living in the 21st century when technology is advanced, our lives are significantly different from that of Moses who lived centuries ago.  There have been breakthroughs in medical science which has cured many illnesses and we are looking towards a brighter future.  Still, Moses has provided an accurate depiction of our lives.  Despite great improvements in medical technology, our average life span is not much longer than that of Moses’ a few centuries ago.  Although our satellite technology is well developed and capable of accurate weather forecasts, humans still cannot escape from natural disasters.  As you look back on the past year, you too would realize that many things are beyond our control.

Was it a good year for you?  Have you accomplished the targets you have set for 2013?  Have you drawn closer or further away from God?  After years of praying, did God finally answer your prayer this year?  Or are you still waiting for His time?  It is likely for you to ask some of these questions as you look back on the year.  Most importantly as children of God, have you gained a deeper understanding of Him in the past year?  Have we become more Christ-like?  Have we influenced the people around us to become godly or were we stumbling blocks?

When we are able to quieten our hearts and reflect on the past year in front of God, we are doing what Moses said, “LORD, teach us to number our days.”  In the earlier verse, Moses said “If only we knew the power of your anger!  Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.”  May God help us as we look to Him with a God fearing heart and place Him as the centre of our lives as we reflect on the year.  God is the centre as He is the LORD of our lives; we are to live according to His will; He is our judge and one day, we will stand before Him to account for our sins.  He is the eternal God; the basis of our lives.

“Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”   When we are aware that our days are limited and life is unpredictable, and the only foundation of life is God, we fear Him which gives us more strength and wisdom to live.  After reflecting on 2013, how would you plan and set targets for 2014?  Do remember to set concrete goals for your spiritual growth such as reading the Bible once, keeping your quiet time daily, reading books on theology, attending weekly prayer meetings, sharing the gospel with your loved ones, etc.  Moses concludes Psalm 90 by saying “May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” We trust the coming year in the hands of our LORD and obey Him.