From Everlasting to Everlasting, You ARE God!
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| Photo by Dunlap Photography |
My oldest grandchild, Jayson, has begun his final year of high school. Where, oh where, did the time go?
Goodness, I remember beginning my senior year of high school! I also remember the day Jayson’s mom was born. Glancing back at my own life, I know my tall, strong and athletic grandson has much to look forward to, especially graduation. But beyond graduation, there is a whole world out there and, Lord willing, many years to live and things to experience. Things that will elicit joy, excitement, sadness, and yes, even pain. Yet, to him, anticipating his future is exhilarating and nothing less than rose-colored. Truly, I would not want it to be any other way and I’m eager to see where, and in which direction, God leads him.
Considering this, it’s interesting to me that the last few weeks the Lord has had me in Psalm 90. I have to admit, although it’s a beautiful Psalm with a majestic description of our God, it is also a bit depressing. Psalm 90 is ascribed to Moses as his prayer, not only for himself and the whole house of Israel but for us too.
Yet, as I read, I sense melancholy. Maybe the Israelites were close to the end of their 40-year wilderness wandering and Moses was looking back over his life remembering his mistakes and triumphs. Moses had witnessed the men who doubted God could drive out the giant inhabitants of the Promised Land and establish Israel as a nation, die in this dry, barren wilderness.[1] In the beginning, the day of exodus was exhilarating and rose-colored, but the wilderness was harsh. Life was not easy and the stiff-necked, complaining Israelites made it almost unbearable at times.
Still, Moses saw God. He heard His voice and beheld the Almighty’s hand performing amazing miracles. Wouldn’t you think he, of all people, would never have a depressing thought? But he does. He speaks about the brevity of physical life, that its boast is only labor and sorrow. Then Moses requests for God to teach all of us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
This portion of Moses’ prayer is perfect for anyone, but especially high school seniors who feel invincible in their youth and vitality. To understand early in life, that our lives are in God’s hand and the number of our days have already been written in His book,[2] is invaluable. This awareness will allow us to grasp our human frailty, so we may serve God with a whole heart and make the most of the life He has given.[3]
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| Photo by Dunlap Photography |
Moses then prays God will satisfy us early each morning with His mercy. How remarkable this is when you think about it. Grace is God giving us something we do not deserve – His Gift – eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord[4]. But mercy, that’s another story. Mercy is God not giving us something we do deserve – the fullness of His wrath against sin – suffering sin’s penalty – death.
Why does Moses want God to satisfy us early with His Mercy? So we may rejoice and be glad all our days; so we put away our sin; and so God’s work and His glory will be abundantly evident to us, in us, and through us.
Jayson’s life is in God’s hands. He has no idea what his future holds and no matter our age, neither do we. Yet, as true believers, we trust God and when we dwell in the shelter of The Almighty[5] we gain understanding. For from everlasting to everlasting, He IS God. There is nothing to fear. The beauty of the LORD our God, Jehovah Elohim, is upon us and HE establishes the work of our hands.
I’m clinging to Psalm 90 right now. How about you?
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