Psalm 90

On Sunday morning this week, in the “Good News for God’s Children” series, Rev. Sarah read a book to the children about an earthworm named Carl. (It was an engaging story.)

On Sunday afternoon, Teresa and I went to the movies to see Toy Story 4. (I have loved the entire series. Number four did not disappoint.)

On Sunday night, we got caught up on Season Three of “The Good Place.” (Don’t ask me about the theology. It is an engaging show and has its moments.)

In all three of these experiences, one of the points for pondering touches on: What is our earthly life about?

We can also read Psalm 90 with that question in mind.

Psalm 90

 A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

¹ Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
² Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

³ You turn us^[b] back to dust,
and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”
⁴ For a thousand years in your sight
are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night.

⁵ You sweep them away; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning;
⁶ in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

⁷ For we are consumed by your anger;
by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
⁸ You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

⁹ For all our days pass away under your wrath;
our years come to an end^[c] like a sigh.
¹⁰ The days of our life are seventy years,
or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;
even then their span^[d] is only toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.

¹¹ Who considers the power of your anger?
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
¹² So teach us to count our days
that we may gain a wise heart.

¹³ Turn, O Lord! How long?
Have compassion on your servants!
¹⁴ Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
¹⁵ Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us,
and as many years as we have seen evil.
¹⁶ Let your work be manifest to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
¹⁷ Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands—
O prosper the work of our hands!

There is something to considering the span of earthly life. We need to realize our lives are lived under God’s watch (and judgement). There seems to be a finite span for earthly life. (We only have so long to do what we want and need to do.) We might wish to appeal to God to prosper the works of our hands.

Today is one of the days that God has given us for work and worth. Plan to make what you are doing with this day worth it.

Prayer

Thank You, God, for giving me the days of my life. Help me to value this day as one in which to make a difference in my life and in the life of others around me, as I walk as a disciple of my Lord and Savior, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.