“You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.” – Job 14:5 (NLT)
Life is a gift, and every moment is a blessing from God. Yet, many of us wrestle with worry about how long we will live. Questions about our lifespan or fears about the future can dominate our thoughts. However, the Bible offers a perspective that frees us from this anxiety: our lives are firmly in God’s hands.
God’s Sovereignty Over Our Lives
Job’s words in Job 14:5 remind us of God’s sovereignty. He knows the number of our days and has determined the length of our lives. This truth can bring immense comfort. Our lives are not subject to chance, fate, or the unknown. They are securely held in the hands of a loving Creator who has a purpose for each moment we live.
Psalm 139:16 echoes this thought: “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” God’s knowledge and care extend to every detail of our existence. We don’t need to worry about the length of our lives because God’s timing is perfect, and He works all things for our good (Romans 8:28).
Why Worry Is Unnecessary
Jesus addressed worry directly in His Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:27, He asked, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Worry doesn’t change the outcome; it only robs us of peace and joy in the present.
Instead, Jesus invites us to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, trusting Him to provide for all our needs (Matthew 6:33). When we focus on living faithfully today, we can rest in the assurance that God holds tomorrow.
Trusting the Hands That Hold Us
The Bible often uses the imagery of God’s hands to illustrate His care and protection. Isaiah 49:16 says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” What a beautiful picture of how deeply God cherishes us. If our names are engraved on His hands, how much more can we trust Him to hold our lives?
Furthermore, Jesus declared in John 10:28-29, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” This double assurance from Jesus and the Father reinforces our security in Him.
Living Without Fear
Understanding that our lives are in God’s hands enables us to live without fear. We can:
- Embrace Today – Instead of worrying about the future, focus on making today meaningful. Love others, pursue God’s purpose, and enjoy the blessings He provides.
- Trust His Plan – Even when life is uncertain or difficult, remember that God’s plans for us are good (Jeremiah 29:11). He sees the bigger picture we cannot.
- Live Boldly – When we know our days are ordained by God, we can step out in faith, fulfilling our calling without hesitation. We are free to live courageously for His glory.
- Rest in Peace – God’s peace transcends human understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). As we trust Him, His peace guards our hearts and minds, even in the face of life’s uncertainties.
Eternal Life: Our Ultimate Security
For believers in Christ, the promise of eternal life adds an eternal perspective. Physical death is not the end but the gateway to an everlasting union with God. Jesus’ victory over death gives us confidence to live fully and fearlessly.
Paul’s words in Philippians 1:21 capture this mindset: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Whether we have many years or few, every moment is an opportunity to glorify God, and eternity awaits us in His presence.
Final Thoughts
Job’s words remind us of a profound truth: we are not in control of the length of our lives, but we can trust the One who is. God’s hands are strong, steady, and loving. As we release our fears about the future and place our trust in Him, we find freedom and peace.
May we live each day with gratitude, purpose, and faith, knowing that our lives are securely held by the One who has ordained our days and holds eternity in His hands.
