O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them? For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow. PSALM 144:3-4 (NLT)

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I wonder why you care, GOD—
why do you bother with us at all?
All we are is a puff of air;
we’re like shadows in a campfire.
The Message

Why am I here?

King David describes God as “my rock” in verse 1. In verse 2, he says God is “my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him.”

When we get to verses 3 and 4, we see a pretty significant contrast. God is described as rock, fortress, shield, and refuge. Human beings are breaths of air and passing shadows.

There is no comparison.

David was a skilled warrior. However, the credit for that belonged to God. He says in verse 1, “He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skills for battle.” He could not boast of his abilities.

Pondering the imponderable question in verse 3, there is only one conclusion: It is all about God, not about me (or you).

We are here today and gone tomorrow. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

David does not despair at his limited lifetime. Instead, he finds meaning and purpose in his relationship with the Eternal One. See how he begins his song:

Praise the LORD, who is my rock.

Meaning and purpose in life are discovered in direct proportion to our recognition of who God is now and forever. Seeing God for who he is inevitably leads to praise. It gives meaning to our moments. It gives purpose to our struggles.

I am here at God’s good pleasure. He wants me to know him and experience him. He wants to give me good gifts. He wants me to trust him and depend on him. He wants to provide for me and guide me. He wants me to realize there is so much more to this life than living and dying. He wants me to know the wonder, awe, and beauty of all that we call life originates and ends with him. He wants me to know that he is with me in all of life’s ups and downs, wins and losses, joys and pains.

Why am I here?

Because God our Father wants to take the messiness of my life and turn it into a masterpiece of his own making to show the whole world how good he is. He wants everyone to know that what he did for a shepherd boy, he can do for us. He wants us to live to the praise of his glory and to enjoy every minute of it.

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I will praise the LORD who gives my life meaning.

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Our Father, without you, we are helpless and vulnerable. Without you, we are here today and gone tomorrow and nobody much remembers us. With you, we gain perspective and purpose. With you, we can endure and overcome. With you, we can really live. May we know you and experience you today. May we live the kinds of lives that attract others to you and demonstrate your goodness. Amen.