Read Psalm 90
Read Deuteronomy 30
If I could give a rough paraphrase of our psalm today, I would say that Moses (yes, Moses wrote this psalm) is encouraging us to consider our mortality, the short amount of time we have in this life, and make the most of our time.
But Moses gives us much more than a motto. He's not just saying carpe diem, that is, "Seize the day! Do your best. Enjoy life at its fullest. Don't forget to be, to breathe, to live! Enjoy every moment. Spend your time on what is really important." - not that those phrases are necessarily bad, but together they give us a piece of advice that is incomplete on its own.
...and deadly on its own. Moses doesn't just tell us to "live like we're dying." No, Moses goes deeper than that. He prays that God would establish the work of our hands. This prayer in the mouth of a humble believer is not a request that God would bless whatever it is that we want to do. Rather, this is a prayer that God would help us to do that which really matters and will last.
Doesn't sound different from the secular advice? Well it really is. When we are doing what God would have us do, then we are doing what really matters. When we are doing the tasks that God has given us, then we are engage in works that are lasting, deep, good, meaningful, and purposeful. When our time is given to God, then we are making the most of our time.
Let's do more than "seize the day" or "live like we're dying." Those are good and helpful phrases to the Christian only if we realize that seizing the day is seizing opportunities to live according to God's will, and that we should die to sin, live for the Lord, and keep our eyes on eternity.
Luther has encouraged us to consider our mortality everyday. A simple way to do this is to rise every morning, make the sign of the cross, and remind ourselves that we are baptized "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." We know that we die to sin, and we then belong to God. We are his. And the Good News is that though we struggle to truly make our days count, the Father forgives us freely through his Son, Jesus, and strengthens us by his Spirit to be renewed again and strengthened again.
And that is an encouraging thought.
Ask Yourself:
It's not fun to consider my own mortality, but how could it help me?
What things is God doing through me that the work of my hands might be established?
How can I do that better/more?
Pray:
Pray from your heart today, asking for wisdom, guidance, and strength to live for God's glory in the time that we have.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
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