Psalm 90:8-12
8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 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 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.
This psalm starts out with the affirmation that God is everlasting and knows everything. We have no secrets from God, for he knows all the secret sins that we commit (verse 8). That alone should give us reason to pause when we are tempted to sin. Would I still sin if I knew God was in the room, watching what I was doing? The psalm goes on to talk about how life is fleeting, and how our years are soon gone and we "fly away" (verse 10). In our fantasies we tend to only think of the present, and to imagine that we will always be beautiful, smart, and powerful. But the truth is that beauty fades, and popularity never lasts. If we think realistically about the temporary nature of our lives, it can change our priorities. For one thing, the attractions are temporary. Would we be as attracted to the playboy centerfold when she is 60 years old? Will we still be a charming "Don Juan" when we are 70? The other question is what will last? At the end of our life what will be more important: the sexual conquests, or the love of family and friends? If we "number our days" and prioritize values based on the changing nature of life, then we will gain a "heart of wisdom" (verse 12).
Lord, thank you for this gift called life, and help me to use it wisely.
8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 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 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.
This psalm starts out with the affirmation that God is everlasting and knows everything. We have no secrets from God, for he knows all the secret sins that we commit (verse 8). That alone should give us reason to pause when we are tempted to sin. Would I still sin if I knew God was in the room, watching what I was doing? The psalm goes on to talk about how life is fleeting, and how our years are soon gone and we "fly away" (verse 10). In our fantasies we tend to only think of the present, and to imagine that we will always be beautiful, smart, and powerful. But the truth is that beauty fades, and popularity never lasts. If we think realistically about the temporary nature of our lives, it can change our priorities. For one thing, the attractions are temporary. Would we be as attracted to the playboy centerfold when she is 60 years old? Will we still be a charming "Don Juan" when we are 70? The other question is what will last? At the end of our life what will be more important: the sexual conquests, or the love of family and friends? If we "number our days" and prioritize values based on the changing nature of life, then we will gain a "heart of wisdom" (verse 12).
Lord, thank you for this gift called life, and help me to use it wisely.