My Time is in Your Hands


Psalm 90
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.
1Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”
4For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
5You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
7For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed.
8You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?
12So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants!
14Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.
17Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

In the Psalms we find one offering penned by Moses. This psalm looks both upon the brevity human condition and the all-powerful love of God. In this psalm, the certainty of death is a call to repentance. One cannot read this psalm and then say, “oh I am encouraged!” Instead one thinks of their own short life in comparison to the perfection and power of our holy God and our response to Him.

You will frequently hear this prayer at funerals and as we read the words, that makes sense. This is a frank acceptance of the fact that we are finite. But in the same moment we are reminded that God is God and He is still in full control of His universe. Of particular interest is the concept of time from God’s perspective. “For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past . . .” We are so incredibly bound to the passing of each 24-hour day and each 12-month year that it is difficult to imagine God’s presence outside of time. I often struggle with God’s timing although I can give numerous examples of when His timing was absolutely perfect. When struggling with His requirement that sometimes I wait, it helps to look back as see that He has always faithfully provided whatever I need in the right moment. I suppose that truth might even extend to the timing of my death. There’s an interesting thought!

Finally I want to comment on “so teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” What a beautiful idea and admonition. Hold the time you have been given with respect and intentionality. One of my strongest features is the ability to waste time. This psalm calls me away from that sin and I am challenged to be more responsible with whatever time God has granted to me.

Charles Wesley penned a hymn based on this psalm and I leave a link here for your to use during your devotional time today. Chances are quite good that you will recognize it immediately for it is a standard in Christendom today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBwD0N-lwho

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