May 15, 2017

FINDING MEANING IN A WORLD OF FRUSTRATION

Psalm 90

Janie Stephens
Monday's Devo

May 15, 2017

Monday's Devo

May 15, 2017

Central Truth

The experience of God's steadfast love gives meaning, purpose, and hope to one’s life.

Key Verse | Psalm 90:14

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
(Psalm 90:14)

Psalm 90

Book Four

From Everlasting to Everlasting

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place 1 90:1 Some Hebrew manuscripts (compare Septuagint) our refuge
    in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You return man to dust
    and say, “Return, O children of man!” 2 90:3 Or of Adam
For a thousand years in your sight
    are but as yesterday when it is past,
    or as a watch in the night.

You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
    like grass that is renewed in the morning:
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
    in the evening it fades and withers.

For we are brought to an end by your anger;
    by your wrath we are dismayed.
You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins in the light of your presence.

For all our days pass away under your wrath;
    we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10  The years of our life are seventy,
    or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span 3 90:10 Or pride is but toil and trouble;
    they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11  Who considers the power of your anger,
    and your wrath according to the fear of you?

12  So teach us to number our days
    that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13  Return, O LORD! How long?
    Have pity on your servants!
14  Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15  Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16  Let your work be shown to your servants,
    and your glorious power to their children.
17  Let the favor 4 90:17 Or beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
    and establish the work of our hands upon us;
    yes, establish the work of our hands!

Footnotes

[1] 90:1 Some Hebrew manuscripts (compare Septuagint) our refuge
[2] 90:3 Or of Adam
[3] 90:10 Or pride
[4] 90:17 Or beauty

Dive Deeper | Psalm 90

What is the meaning and purpose of my life and work?

Have you ever pondered that question? I know I have. Thankfully, we’re in good company because Moses wrestles with this same age-old question in Psalm 90—the oldest psalm in the Bible.

It's believed Moses wrote Psalm 90 as a prayer to God in response to the events recorded in Numbers 20. In that passage, Moses experiences the deaths of both his sister and brother and commits the fatal sin that ultimately bars him from fulfilling his dream of entering the Promised Land. Psalm 90 is a somber, realistic reflection upon the brevity and uncertainty of life. And yet, Psalm 90 is undergirded by a quiet confidence in our eternal God, our only possible hope and home.

Notice that in verses 1-2, Moses anchors his prayer upon the rock-solid foundation of God’s character. God is our dwelling place, our home, our eternal refuge, our Creator. He is everlasting and immortal. Those who are anchored in God are eternally secure.

In contrast to the eternity of God is the mortality of man (verses 3-12). Man dies because man sins, and God’s judgment for man’s sin is death. Sin always leads to death—death of dreams, hopes, plans, relationships, health; and, apart from Christ, sin ultimately leads to spiritual death—separation from God forever. What hope does man have?

Moses concludes his prayer by appealing to God's steadfast love—our only hope (verses 13-17). Yes, life in a sin-wrecked world is painful. We are fallen human beings who experience death and disappointment on a daily basis. But, because of God’s great love, expressed to us ultimately through the Person and work of Jesus Christ, we are not overcome (Lamentations 3:21-22; Romans 5:8). Our life and work may now be established for all eternity. Like Moses, we cling to our eternal God, trusting that He alone makes worthwhile all that we inefficiently try to do for Him. And, like Moses, on the grounds of God’s steadfast love, we confidently pray, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17)

Discussion Questions

1. Where do you mistakenly try to find meaning and purpose in life apart from God?

2. What attributes of or truths about God give you hope and security when you face disappointments in life?

3. In light of the fact that life on this earth is brief and fleeting, how are you seeking to make every day count for Christ and His kingdom? If you do not know how to do that, will you pray along with Moses, “teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom” (verse 12)?

4. What aspects of Moses’ prayer in Psalm 90 will you seek to incorporate within your own prayer life?

5. How have you seen God’s steadfast love expressed to you this week (verse 14)?