A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." (Psalm 90:1-2 ESV)
This Psalm is ascribed to Moses, and may have been written in context of the forty-year wandering of Israel in the wilderness. (Numbers 15-20)
In verses 1 through 11 Moses considers the eternal nature of God and the brevity of human life. (90:1-11)
Here are six petitions that Moses made in light of the brevity of life before the eternal God. These are also six things I can pray as I am growing older...
Wisdom. (90:12) "So teach us to number our days..." Pray that the Lord would enable us to know the value of our remaining time on earth, and that we would plan well to make the best use of it (Eph. 5:16).
Mercy. (90:13) "Have pity on your servants..." Pray that we would continue to rely on God's mercy and not our merits. May we ask for and rely upon his Fatherly compassion as we grow older and realize how sinful and fragile we still are.
Love. (90:14) "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love..." Pray that we would find our satisfaction in the Lord's kind, covenantal love for us. May our love and joy be in the Lord himself rather than our accomplishments, possessions, attainments, or even our own maturity level.
Gladness. (90:15) "Make us glad..." Pray that-- instead of becoming bitter, complaining, or fault-finding -- we should be glad and buoyant in the Lord all the rest of the days of our lives. May we have a biblical optimism about life, no matter what trials or troubles we have been through.
Glory. (90:16) "...and your glorious power to their children." Pray that we would continue to see God at work in our lives, and especially that our children (physical or spiritual) would themselves experience the glorious beauty of God in their lives.
Legacy. (90:17) "...and establish the work of our hands..." Pray that you will accomplish something that will outlive you and have an eternal impact. May we -- whether in our profession, teaching, work, writing, example, parenting, art, words, lifestyle, etc. -- leave behind a lasting influence for the Kingdom of God. May 1 Corinthians 15:58 be true of us...
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
This Psalm is ascribed to Moses, and may have been written in context of the forty-year wandering of Israel in the wilderness. (Numbers 15-20)
In verses 1 through 11 Moses considers the eternal nature of God and the brevity of human life. (90:1-11)
Here are six petitions that Moses made in light of the brevity of life before the eternal God. These are also six things I can pray as I am growing older...
Wisdom. (90:12) "So teach us to number our days..." Pray that the Lord would enable us to know the value of our remaining time on earth, and that we would plan well to make the best use of it (Eph. 5:16).
Mercy. (90:13) "Have pity on your servants..." Pray that we would continue to rely on God's mercy and not our merits. May we ask for and rely upon his Fatherly compassion as we grow older and realize how sinful and fragile we still are.
Love. (90:14) "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love..." Pray that we would find our satisfaction in the Lord's kind, covenantal love for us. May our love and joy be in the Lord himself rather than our accomplishments, possessions, attainments, or even our own maturity level.
Gladness. (90:15) "Make us glad..." Pray that-- instead of becoming bitter, complaining, or fault-finding -- we should be glad and buoyant in the Lord all the rest of the days of our lives. May we have a biblical optimism about life, no matter what trials or troubles we have been through.
Glory. (90:16) "...and your glorious power to their children." Pray that we would continue to see God at work in our lives, and especially that our children (physical or spiritual) would themselves experience the glorious beauty of God in their lives.
Legacy. (90:17) "...and establish the work of our hands..." Pray that you will accomplish something that will outlive you and have an eternal impact. May we -- whether in our profession, teaching, work, writing, example, parenting, art, words, lifestyle, etc. -- leave behind a lasting influence for the Kingdom of God. May 1 Corinthians 15:58 be true of us...
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Comments