Stewards of Our Time

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
                                                                                                                          ​Psalm 90:1-2

These verses from Psalm 90 remind us that God exits outside the boundaries of time and space, and yet He is sovereign over time.  "I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."  (Revelation 1:8)  God, who was from the beginning, who spoke into existence all of creation, who has ruled and continues to rule this world according to His purposes, holds all of time, past, present and future in His hands -- He created time and He has given it to us as gift.  Each day is truly a gift from God; every breath that we take is an expression of His grace and as such we are called to be good stewards of our time.

We are to value the time we've been given, recognizing that we only have one life; that our days our numbered and we must use each one wisely.  So we pray...teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.  (Psalm 90:12)

Many of the great hymns of our faith speak about this truth. 

Consider for example, Isaac Watts' 'O God, Our Help in Ages Past:

Our God, our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come,
our Shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal Home.

Before the hills in order stood or earth received its frame,
from everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight are like an ev'ning gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the op'ning day.

Our God, our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come,
be Thou our Guide while life shall last, and our eternal Home!

In 1777 John Ryland wrote 'Sovereign Ruler of the Skies':

Sovereign Ruler of the skies! Ever gracious, ever wise!
All my times are in Thy hand, all events at Thy command.

He that formed me in the womb, He shall guide me to the tomb;
All my times shall ever be ordered by His wise decree.

'Abide with Me' (Henry F. Lyte, 1847)

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour; what but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Though cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

'Christ Be in My Waking' (Steward Townsend and Simon Brading, 2011)

Christ be in my waking as the sun is rising
In my day of working, with me every hour
Christ be in my resting, as the day is ending
Coming and refreshing, watching through the night

     Jesus, this is my devotion
     All my life to know You
     Everyday to walk with You
     Savior, You’re my deepest longing
     You’re the One I live for
     Teach me, Lord, to walk with You

There are many more worship songs that could be added to this list -- great hymns of the past and more contemporary songs of praise.  What songs, what verses from the Holy Word encourage you to be good stewards of your time; to set aside time throughout the day to worship or God and live for Him?

Our God, our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou our Guide while life shall last, and our eternal Home!