In The Word
Read: Psalms 90
God’s Eternity and the Brevity of Human Life.
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.
90 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
3 You turn mortals back into dust
And say, “Return, you sons of mankind.”
4 For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it passes by,
Or like a watch in the night.
5 You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep;
In the morning they are like grass that sprouts anew.
6 In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew;
Toward evening it wilts and withers away.
7 For we have been consumed by Your anger,
And we have been terrified by Your wrath.
8 You have placed our guilty deeds before You,
Our hidden sins in the light of Your presence.
9 For all our days have dwindled away in Your fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.
10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is only trouble and tragedy;
For it quickly passes, and we disappear.
11 Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
13 Do return, Lord; how long will it be?
And be sorry for Your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with Your graciousness,
That we may sing for joy and rejoice all our days.
15 Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us,
And the years we have seen evil.
16 Let Your work appear to Your servants
And Your majesty to their children.
17 May the kindness of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
This psalm is considered the oldest of the psalms that was written. In this passage, Moses prayed to the Father comparing our temporary lives against God’s eternal nature. Moses gave us a powerful revelation of how eternity relates to time. Moses had a relationship with God unlike most. He walked and talked with God daily in order to receive instruction on how to lead the children of Israel to the Promised Land. Moses knew that his own wisdom and knowledge could only take them so far, but he knew that God possessed infinite wisdom. So Moses took the time to pray for the heart and the mind of the Father to be with the Israelites.
In verse four, Moses gave us an example of ‘The Kingdom Vantage Point’ when he said, “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or as a watch in the night.” Because we are subjected to the limitations of time, we often place the limitations that we have onto God. This verse shows us that our limitations do not apply to our all-powerful God.
So do not be discouraged when time passes and you feel as if things have not gotten better. Take confidence in the limitless God that is able and willing to intervene in our affairs in His timing. When doubt begins to take hold, pray as Moses prayed; ask God for His vantage point on what you are praying for. As verse two says, “…Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Remember to see things as God sees them.