To the young, seventy or eighty years seems to be so far off, a "lifetime" away. Conversely, those who are older, fast approaching that silver age, will tell you how quickly time has passed. The passing of time brings with it a new and mature perspective (for most), and therein, we are able to better understand the brevity of life, even one which spans seven or eight decades. God, who is "from everlasting to everlasting" (v 2), bids mankind, "Return, O children of men" (v 3). Life is too short to be squandered on the menial things of life, for the self-gratifying life compels the anger and wrath of God. Such unbridled living invites trouble and sorrow in the here and now, with a swift end, promises nothing better for the hereafter. Moses pleads, "Teach us to number our days..." Not that we may count out what days should belong to the Lord and what we shall keep unto ourselves, but that we might therefore choose to commit the whole to the Lord. The Psalmist wrote, "LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor... And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You." (Ps 39:4-5, 7). Today's conduct should be ruled by the knowledge of our impending end. Such is evidence of a heart of wisdom.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. (Ecc 9:10)

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (Jn 9:4)

...redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Eph 5:16-17)