Teach Us to Number Our Days
Death is an unescapable fact of life for all of mankind. It has been this way since the the first humans, Adam and Eve, sinned against God and the consequence was physical and spiritual death. Moses sees this sinful state in the Israelites. In Psalm 90 lifts his prayers to God.
Moses begins this great psalm by focusing his attention on the eternality and majesty of God (1-2). God is everlasting, outside of man’s concept of time. Yet even though God is both transcendent (Holy and utterly independent of His creation), He is immanent as well (He is close by and is the believer’s place of security) (90:1-2).
Moses then transitions from God’s eternality to man’s mortality (3-12). Man’s destiny is to return to the dust from whence he came (90:3-4). Man is frail and temporary, like grass that lasts only a short while (5-6). His life is short because of God’s wrath over his sin (7-11). His final days are filled with declining strength, and his life ends with a “sigh.”
Man’s disobedience is evidence of a lack of reverence for God (11); yet there is still hope for those that cast themselves upon the mercy of God (12-17). Moses prays that God would teach believers to “number their days.” To evaluate their activities each and every day of their lives to see if they are living for themselves or to the glory of God (12). Moses prays that God’s people would be totally satisfied in His love (13-15). This new beginning will bring joy and gladness in every aspect of their lives (90:16-17). Brethren, you must learn to be content with Christ. Are you numbering your days? Who do you live for, God or yourself? Rest in God’s goodness and His everlasting love.