His Days Are As Grass

The Psalmist observed, “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more” (Psalm 103:15-16). These comparisons to our life highlight the very temporary nature of our time here on earth. Our mortal existence is as fleeting as grass and a flower of the field. Just as the wind blows and then is gone—with no sign of where it has disappeared—so too our lives are fleeting and then disappear from the earth. This reminder highlights the need for us to focus on what is truly important because our opportunity to make a difference on earth is so small. Another psalm reminds us of what we should not focus on: “Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish” (Psalm 49:16-20). We shouldn’t concern ourselves with the rich whose life seems filled with the glory of the world, for when he dies he will “carry nothing away” of what he has. We shouldn’t concern ourselves with the fact that the world did “praise” him, for like the beasts of the field he will perish. We should instead, focus on what the Savior taught: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matthew 6:19-20). Our ephemeral lives should concentrate on laying up treasures in heaven, not on earth.

                I love the EFY song from several years ago which is a sort of modern psalm: What Matters Most by Abe Kaelin. Some of the lyrics include these: 

Don’t get lost in all the noise

Listen for the still small voice

What matters most

Is to follow Him and believe

What matters most

Is to love someone in need

Be still and know He will

Always keep us close

And show us what matters most

So many things we chase

Will one day fade away

And time is moving by so fast

In everything we say and do

Let our hearts be set on truth

And store up treasure that will last 

The struggle each day, amidst the many activities that vie for our attention, is to focus ourselves on that which truly matters most. And how do we know what that is? The Savior told us very clearly: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40). We must seek to do those things that show our love for God and for all of His children. Another hymn helps us evaluate our daily actions:               

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

Because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?

…

’Tis noble of man to work and to give;

Love’s labor has merit alone.

Only he who does something helps others to live.

To God each good work will be known. 

As we consider each day what matters most, we can ask ourselves these questions and seek for opportunities to do good to others and show love to those around us. Most importantly, we must “listen for the still, small voice” to know what He would have us do. Then we will indeed lay up for ourselves that treasure in heaven which will not rust.