Instruction
Scripture: Psalm 90:12-17
Psalm 90 is unique in that it was written by Moses. The
first eleven verses of the psalm are a lament of human frailty and death and compares
people to God who is almighty and eternal. The last six verses are a prayer for
wisdom and relief from death’s impact. The psalm teaches people to acknowledge
their mortality and put their confidence in God’s gracious mercy.
Teaching
It may seem obvious, but people die; all people. Even though
medical breakthroughs have allowed people to live longer than ever, and people
strive to find ways to cheat death, they cannot avoid this reality of life in
this world. This prayer teaches us to call upon God to teach us to number our
days: that is to know our mortality and to live wisely making use of the time
we are given.
The only relief people have from this sad state of affairs
is if God intervenes in their lives. The psalm reveals that satisfaction comes
from God’s steadfast love and because of that, love, joy, and gladness can
break through the sorrow of knowing we will die. Indeed their confidence in
life and in death is God’s love and favor which He pours out on them.
Life
We deal with our mortality in different ways at different
points in our lives. From the person who says she just can’t do everything she
used to do, to the one who complains of the aches and pains that come with age,
to the one who actually faces a disease that is terminal all of us are reminded
that we will die, so we should live wisely. The heart of wisdom in the Bible is
knowing where we stand with God. We do well to remember that God has had pity
on us and shown us His steadfast love by giving His only begotten Son, and
living our lives in Him.
Prayer
Lord, You know the number of our days and the span of our
years, but we do not. We know that, unless Jesus returns first, we too will
die, yet there is joy and gladness in life because of Your mercy and love. We
indeed have been afflicted because of sin, and we have seen evil, but You have
shown us Your work in the cross of Christ, and You establish the works of our
hands for Your glory’s sake.
Thank You for having pity on us and for giving us joy in
this life, even in the face of death. Thank You for satisfying us morning by
morning with Your steadfast love and for showing us the great work Jesus has
done on our behalf which shows us that Your favor is indeed upon us.
Forgive us for our foolish ways in life and for the many
ways we waste the days You have given us. Forgive us for doubting that You have
had pity on us or that You delight in our afflictions. We confess that we even
think that Your steadfast love is not enough to satisfy us and that the work of
our hands must be established in our own strength. Have pity on Your servants!
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of
wisdom. Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice
and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let Your work be shown to us, and Your glorious power to our children. Let Your
favor rest upon us and establish the work of our hands. Amen.
Comments