Jonathan Edwards (the timid, bold paster, who spoke prompting a revival of repentance. The sermon was entitled, “In the hands of an angry God.”
His prayer: — “Oh God, stamp eternity on my eyeball.”
As we transition to a new year, let us reflect on all that God has provided - our testimony that informs others of His goodness!
As we enter 2024, we need to gain a new perspective — one based on eternal values. As we delve into our lessons for today, take note of life lived for Christ!
There are two key verses found in the psalms.
They are:
Psalms 90:4 — For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.
Psalms 90:12 — So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
The book of psalms is divided into 5 books. These are sections within the Psalms… Today’s passage comes from book 4 of 5, inclusive of psalm 90-106.
Out of all 150 Psalms that we read …here is the oldest of them.
- Written by Moses. (it’s included as a worship theme, a reminder of their days when they wandered in the wilderness because of their disobedience.)
- Placed here by Solomon as a reminder in our worship to place eternity in our heart.
- This Psalm is perhaps a new year’s message for those of Moses’ day as well as for David’s day and for our day as well.
Psalm 19:14 perhaps is one that we reflect upon as we are into this new book or section.
** It reads “May the words of our mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable at your sight oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”**
This is likely a psalm that was written when Moses was in the midst of the 40 years of his wandering in the wilderness. (some believe that it may have been that which is just recorded in Numbers 11 but more likely it is what is recorded in Numbers 20 and 21.)
- Numbers 11 speaks of … when the spies were sent to survey the land in the majority vote ruled in favor of THEIR FEAR INSTEAD OF THEIR FUTURE.
- Numbers 20-21 speaks of Moses’s sister Miriam’s (sister) death and also Aaron’s (brother) death as well as his disobedience of STRIKING THE ROCK IN ANGER.
Whichever is his motivation, writing this does signal to us a clear understanding of what God‘s plan should’ve been for their future and what became their destiny.
The Psalm was written for those who remained, and did not cross into the promised land.
Perhaps this is placed here the Psalms that it becomes a universal metaphor for God’s people (at the times of David) during their spiritual wanderings.
Now we read it as a reminder of our desperate need for God in our later years are we too may wander.
In 40 years there was an accounted for the death of millions. 1.5 million to be more exact.
** Because those under 20 were the only ones that were promised to receive the inheritance of which God gave them in the promised land. (only two are over the age of 22 were given a special privilege because of the obedience in their vision for God‘s plan for their future: Caleb and Joshua!
Moses attributes the age of years as 70 or even 80 at a time where they lived over 100.
According to its title of this Psalm, “A Prayer of Moses the man of God,” Psalm 90 was authored by Moses.
Since he lived around 1400 BC, this means Psalm 90 is the oldest of the psalms and Moses is the first composer of sacred hymnody.
In their worship liturgy of the Old Testament, the faith of God’s people, this psalm was to be a reminder of God‘s provision and protection of his people, and a promise to those who shall come behind them.
During the 40 years of their wandering in the wilderness, God promised that he would provide even upon their death. Two generations would pass before they could enter into the promised land, because of their lawless and unfaithful decision. The decision of the spies that cast out on God‘s provision into the promised land.
Moses likely perform many of the funerals that happened during their years of wandering. Of course, he had helpers because they were leaders within each of the tribes led by Aaron who would help. That is what priests and pastors do!
As you can imagine, as you do the math, if there were just about 1.5 million that over a course of years - they would’ve been quite a few funerals that Moses would’ve had to cared for.
Do the math, and you’ll find that their average number of deaths each month …. 30,000 a year, 2,500 a month — 83 a day!!!
Questions and Answer :: https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2001/mar/page20.htm
What’s the point of this?
Well death was all around them. Were the numbers actually that large nevertheless, it seemed as though death occurred daily among each of the tribes represented in that wilderness experience.
Turning aside from that negative conversation is clearly our lesson.
- You see we spent the first part talking about God as eternal – verse 4.
Are you someone who sets resolutions? The Bible tells us that we should!
Psalm 90:12–
We now turned to verse 12 which reminds us to be resolute. (Resolution of a new year.)
** We are to learn to number our days against the scales of eternity.
If the scales were Godly values, we would need to weigh our resolutions in relationship to God!
To be resolute in our priorities, putting first things first in accordance with God’s Justice.
To be resolute in our resources, according to God‘s love.
To be resolute in our investments for God’s glory
To speak in accordance with God’s word/truth. To count for our timely mission way that is according to God‘s faithfulness.
I love what Dr. Steve Lawson observed from the Believers Chapel in Dallas.
“We are taught to grow in wisdom. Verse 16 says to “recommission ourselves.” Verse 17 says to show us his approval. We are to make efforts in to be successful — that is to receive God‘s plan and to work in it!”
Bottom line:: Grow in wisdom into the new year!
Vs 12 — Teach us to number our days
Jonathan Edwards prayer: — “Oh God, stamp eternity on my eyeball.”
Jonathan Edwards, while pastoring in New York near what is today Wall Street wrote down his resolutions. He called them guidelines for godly living. There were 70 of them. (After being converted for one year. Age 18-19.)
They related to living :: For God’s glory — most focused on use of time!
We must decide what the is the best use of time.
Well, Time spent -or- time well spent!
Verse 12 :: help us to number our days, according to your Will and purpose…to gain wisdom.
Psalms 90:12 —- “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
Pastor Steve Pettit — Wrote on this as his conclusion ::
Prayer Is Essential
In verse three of Psalm 90, God calls man to return to Him. In verse 13 the psalmist calls on God to return to man. Our necessary response to the brevity of life is to cry out to God in prayer. This is what Moses does in Psalm 90:13–17.
Pray for mercy.
Psalm 90:13–14
Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Pray for joy.
Psalm 90:15
Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.
Pray for blessing.
Psalm 90:16–17
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
Conclusion by Pettit:
“Moses finishes this psalm with a prayer for God’s favor (beauty) to be on His people and for their work to prosper in God’s hand. His desire is for their work to be solidified and enduring as they depend on God.
Our time on earth is short in light of eternity. We must seek God in prayer for His mercy, His joy, and ultimately, His blessing upon all that we do in this life.”
https://today.bju.edu/president/psalm-90-living-with-an-eternal-perspective/
There are only two important days in our lives.
The day you were born.
And the day you discover why.
Teach Us to Number Our Days : https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/teach-us-number-our-days
