NUMBERING OUR DAYS Psalm 90 7/27/08 Psalm 90 is the oldest of all the Psalms It states that it is “A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.” Psalm 90 was most likely written during the 38 years that Israel wandered in the wilderness of Sinai following their rebellion and refusal to go into the promised land at Kadesh-Barnea. (Numbers 13-14) Now we find them trekking around the desert going nowhere Awaiting the death of all those who had been over twenty years old at the time That would be well over a million people who would not now be allowed to go into the land and enjoy God’s blessings. Every morning there was a report of more casualties. Every day an average of 87 more people died Every time they broke camp they left a new cemetery full of fresh graves. As Moses reflected upon what was going on and about life in general he penned this Psalm. The first thing he notes is that: 1. God Is Eternal 90:1-2 Throughout human history Before the creation of the world From every lasting to ever lasting, You are God. Psalm 102:24-27 I say, "O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days, Your years are throughout all generations. 25 "Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 "Even they will perish, but You endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. 27 "But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end. God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable. In contrast: 2. Our Earthly Life Is Temporary. 90:3-6 The Bible teaches that death entered the human experience as a result of the original sin. Genesis 3:19b By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return." 3 It seems that God is constantly issuing the order, “Return to dust.” And a never ending line of people continues to trudge down toward the grave. 153 people die every second of every day 220,000 every day 80 million each year Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 Psalm 104:29 You hide Your face, they are dismayed; You take away their spirit, they expire And return to their dust. 4 To the eternal God 1000 years ago is like yesterday. They are like a mere night watch, a fraction of the night Psalm 39:5 "Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah. 5a Our lives are swept away suddenly as with a flood 5b-6 Our lives are like grass in an arid land Fresh and green in the morning 2 Faded and withered by evening 3. Sin Brings God’s Judgment 90:7-11 7-9 While all death is a result of the entrance of sin into the human race, Moses realizes that what is happening in the desert was a special judgment of God. Except for Joshua and Caleb, all those 20 years old and older were to die without entering the promised land because that rebelled against God. Likewise, their secret sins were ever before God. 10 The average lifespan for mankind has been approximately 70 since the time of the flood. Some live a little longer, but it is a mixed blessing. Because those years are often filled with labor and sorrow, troubles and difficulties 11 Few if any adequately take to heart the intensity of God’s wrath against sin. Few adequately fear or respect the power of God’s righteous judgment. If we did we would: Give Him the respect He is due Value every day of our lives and spend each on in obedience to Him. 4. Nine Requests Of God 90:12-17 a. Teach us to number our days. 12 On the average we will each have an average of 25,000 days on this earth, from birth to death. i.e. Help us to use our time on earth wisely. Psalm 39:4 "LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. 3 John 9:4 "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. When I reach the end of my days, a moment or two from now, I must look backward on something more meaningful than the pursuit of things and experiences (entertainment). I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless I have used it to serve the God who made me. Invested my few days investing in the lives people Preparing my children for life and eternity Telling you and others about the God who made them Reminding you about the brevity of life and the issues of eternity b. Do return O Lord. 13a Moses pleads for God to return to His people in mercy. How long will it be? We look forward to Christ’s return for us. John 14:3 "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. c. Be sorry for Your servants 13b Have pity or compassion for us 4 1 John 1:9 Proverbs 28:13 d. Satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness. 14 Lamentations 3:22 The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. e. Make us glad. 15 Moses here pleads for equal time. Make us rejoice for as many years as we have been afflicted. f. Let Your work appear to you servants. 16a They have seen His power displayed in His judgment upon them. Now he asks the Lord to show His power in blessing. g. (Let) Your majesty (appear) to their children. 16b Let our children see and recognize your glory and majesty. h. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us. 17a Favor- kindness, grace i. Confirm for us the work of our hands. 17b Confirm- establish Lord, make our work last and amount for something. May it be of some eternal significance. There is only one true God. Isaiah 45:22 "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. There is only one Savior. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 5 Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." 6.