Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 90:1-12
90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
90:3 You turn us back to dust, and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”
90:4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.
90:5 You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning;
90:6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
90:7 For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
90:8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
90:9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh.
90:10 The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong; even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
90:11 Who considers the power of your anger? Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
90:12 So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
Reflections
Nearing the end of Psalm 90 the Psalmist indicates that life is short and fleeting. Our days on this earth are limited, so the Psalmist asks the Lord to “teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart”. What a foreign concept to most people. We typically run each day in over-drive, stretching each day to get more and more done.
However, the Psalmist reminds us that we only have so much time here. We must remember to not take those days for granted. As we age we tend to take them less and less for granted but even as youth one can learn from taking each day as a blessing from God.
Life can be very unpredictable. Regardless of how well one can be doing in life, there is a timeline for each and every one of us. This Psalm is not meant to fill our hearts with fear or sadness. It is mean to encourage us to remember that each day is a gift from God and we are to use our time on earth wisely and not for our own gain.
Thinking about time in the sense of ones life allows for us to put things into a whole new perspective. It should stir in our hearts an attitude of thankfulness for each day that God gives us and it should cause to pursue living our lives with a goal to glorify God and let our lives shine Christ’s light to those whom we come in contact with.
Paul often spoke about how living on this earth is to be lived for Christ and when we die, we gain the privilege of spending eternity with God. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21. Paul understood the value of both living and dying. If we are placed on this earth we are to pursue living for the Glory of God. Taking a breath every morning is a blessing and privilege. Pursue Christ with your whole heart and live for Him each day.
[Featured image from pastorjerome.files.wordpress.com]
