Moses wrote this one. And it wasn’t in a season of rainbows and roses. Moses speaks of God’s anger at them. Could it be when they complained at the waters of Meribah? Or when they made a golden calf? Or when they had no faith after the spies returned? There were so many times and at some point God said enough. Their ways were unjust (v. 8) before a just and holy God doing great and miraculous works.
Moses voices his suffering and reflects on life. But he remains humble.
“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts” (Ps 90:12).
This is such a good word. Our hearts are not open or closed, softened or hardened in great moments so much as they are changed and molded in the myriads of life’s daily thoughts. Are we careful with our days?
“Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days. Make us rejoice for as many days as You have humbled us, for as many years as we have seen adversity” (Ps 90:14-15).
The Lord indeed had brought his rebuke and discipline to them. But Moses asks him to redeem the years of their discipline and suffering that joy may be found in their hearts and on their lips once again.
Moses ends with this:
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands–establish the work of our hands!” (Ps 90:17).
What is powerful in this is that even though the Israelites were suffering at the hand of God for their sins, Moses had such strong confidence in the character of God that God could and perhaps would relent, forgive, restore and even cause them to rejoice again. He knew that God delights to show mercy and compassion more than judgment. Although judgment is sometimes necessary, God isn’t looking to bring condemnation but rather to bless man so that there’s celebration.
God wants to restore us.
36 hours after the Kentucky tornadoes:
Whitney Brown: I have been overwhelmed by the love my family has been shown today. We are all safe, thank God. My brother, Jordan, has lost his home but thankfully he and his family made it out safely. I was standing in his bedroom packing anything I could salvage and I heard the most beautiful sound. Music. Jordan was sitting at his grand piano, playing the Gaither tune There’s Something About That Name. Everything around him was broken. The piano had water damage, it had missing keys, and he didn’t know I was filming, but still he used his gift to glorify his God the best way he knew how. Enjoy his God given gift.
Jordan Baize: The kids and I are safe. We were downstairs in our basement along with other family when a tornado destroyed our home. Much of it seems to be missing. We are physically okay but naturally very shaken up. We were kept safe from the storm by an only-faithful God, just like countless storms before and still many more to come. Praying for the safety of our friends and neighbors. Lord, help our precious community.
Jordan’s “about” likely written before the tornado his his house – Family man dedicated to raising good kids. Learning to number my days & spend them well. [Psalm 90:12]
https://www.facebook.com/whitney.brown.18/videos/296706559047804
