Psalm 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
The memories and reminiscence of a person is based on his/her merits and medals. Steve Jobs & Apple; Bill Gates & Microsoft are inseparable. Very soon the meaning of ‘apple’ in the Oxford dictionary might be altered to ‘I-phones’! We perceive the worth and value of a person based on his/her networth, accomplishments and wealth. Their biography and obituary would pulsate their achievements even after their heartbeat has stopped. However, the eminence of the epilogue of awards and accolades on earth are non-transferable assets into eternity.
The Psalmist describes mankind as a breath and a passing shadow. Breath is the air inhaled or exhaled from the lungs. In other words our life can be best epitomized as the ‘wind’. The lifespan of a human is also described as a passing shadow. Our shadow changes continuously with the revolving earth and disappears when the sun sets. Neither the wind nor the shadow has a fixed substance, structure or solidity. Likewise, the awards and assets describe a person’s achievements but it is not the personality or identity. Man is a living-soul.
Our affluence faints and our influence fades away when we leave the earth but there are some intangible assets that are transferable into eternity from the earth. O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). Justice, mercy and humility might not attract fame and fortune on earth but are more precious than gold, land or dollars in Heaven.
Three transferable assets from earth into eternity:
- Honesty: We are God’s mouth to establish justice on the earth. “Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom” – Thomas Jefferson. Judgments made with the same scales of measure for everyone establishes justice. Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations (Proverbs 22:28). We must never change standards or sides when a friendship deteriorates. We should never expose a secret shared in private when a relationship depreciates. Treat the rich and the poor alike. Honesty and justice are divine currencies.
- Humanity: We are God’s hands and feet to show kindness, goodness and forgiveness. When the enemy is vulnerable, we must become the touch of God that leads them to repentance. If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink (Proverb 25:21). In reality, the enemy might never knock at our doorstep, hungry. However, when we get a chance to defame the enemy’s reputation among a bunch of friends, choosing to show mercy or stopping the slander is like serving food and water to the hungry foe. Humanity, generosity and kindness are divine currencies.
- Humility: We are just like a breath that is exhaled and the shadow that disappears. We have nothing to gloat or flaunt about. Our education, position or qualification will vanish away like the shadow. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less” – CS Lewis. Humility is a very valuable divine currency.
“Man is only like a breath or a shadow” – is the quintessence of human anatomy.
Psalm 144:3 Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?
Prayer: Sovereign Lord, we are mere breath and shadows that pass away and be forgotten. May honesty, humanity and humility be my clothing. Amen.
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