The Prayer of Moses
Psalm 90 was attributed
to Moses. He spoke to God about our frailty and our limited time on
earth. God is infinite and is not affected
by time—however, our time is limited and to be used wisely. If we are feeling dissatisfied
with this life and its imperfections, remember that our desires are established
by God. He establishes the work of our
hands—as we daily seek Him and abide in Him.
The Prayer of Moses
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death, they are like the new grass of the morning—
6 Though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.
10 The length of our days is seventy years, or eighty, if we have the strength—
Yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, or they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
13 Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands
for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
Our fleeting lives can have value only if we live wisely before God
(90:1-2) The eternal nature of God
(90:3-6) The finite nature of a man
(90:7-11) God’s wrath over man’s sin, cause of man’s shortened life
(90:12-17) A prayer for God’s mercy and grace over man’s sin
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD Gives Meaning and Value (90:1-2).
“Even from everlasting to everlasting, you are, O God, eternal.”
That truth can be unsettling or, it can be an awesome though! We, the finite creature, can have a relationship with this eternal God. The eternal God is our God. He is our dwelling place. We live in Him through Christ. There is nothing that can give meaning and value to life like the reality of a personal relationship with the eternal God:
“Thou hast created us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” - St. Augustine
SHORTNESS of LIFE and UNCERTAINTY make Life Futile Apart from GOD (90:3-6).
Life is uncertain apart from God. We can not know from one day to the next what God's will is [and there are many who seek to find it] because of hindrance of man's own sinful nature.
Moses describes, our helplessness in the face of death is as being swept away by a flash flood—that suddenly bursts upon them and takes everything in its path (90:5). We’re like the grass of the field (90:5-6), which sprouts in the morning and looks promising - but after a day in the blistering desert sun, it withers.
GOD’S WRATH Over Our Sin is TROUBLE and SORROW Apart from GOD (90:7-11).
Moses saw with his eyes—people dying. 1.2 million people died during the 40 years in the desert wilderness. On certain days thousands were killed at one time because of their rebellion and sin. (Numbers 6:49, 25:9).
The psalm made valuable point that death was the result of God’s wrath over our sin. We can say death is a natural part of the life cycle, that all living things must die. Many lives were cut short because of disregard for God's laws. The people had not yet been placed in the promised land of their inheritance. And they would not be able to go into this land without honoring their God.
Death entered the world as a means of God’s direct judgment on the sin of the first man and woman in creation (Genesis 2:17, 3:19). Their death began as a spiritual death—and resulted in an ephemeral death. We need to face that one day we also will stand before a holy God.
Death entered the world as a means of God’s direct judgment on the sin of the first man and woman in creation (Genesis 2:17, 3:19). Their death began as a spiritual death—and resulted in an ephemeral death. We need to face that one day we also will stand before a holy God.
If you have put your trust in Jesus Christ, you have been saved from the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Though we will die physically, we will not face the second death to be forever separated from God. (Revelation 20:14-15). Apart from Christ, you are under God’s condemnation and life is meaningless.
GOD’S BLESSING Upon Our Life and Work Gives Meaning and Value (90:12-17).
Moses prays looking toward God from a human perspective. He prays, “May the favor (delightfulness, pleasantness, beauty) of the Lord our God be upon us” (90:17).
Moses prays that God’s blessing would be upon His people, and also that God would confirm the work of their hands (90:17). When you have the eternal God as your dwelling place, all of life becomes sacred. Whether your work is to be a pastor or missionary or truck driver, you can do it all to the glory of God!... whatever you do can be done for His glory.
1. Live in light of eternity. “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
2. Labor for the lasting, “the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).
3. Avoid the waste that comes from sinful living. Sinful, self-willed living always results in waste. Don’t be deceived: Sin always has adverse consequences in your life. Obedience always results in God’s blessing.
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