READ: Psalms 90-91
Psalm
90 was written by Moses as a prayer. One of the themes of this chapter is a correct
understanding of time. To God a thousand years is like a single day. The length
of days for the average person is 70 or 80 years. For us those decades are full
of trouble and burdensome living. We experience sorrow, pain, betrayal,
sickness, trauma, grief and so much more. And though it seems long while we’re
in it, the truth is they really are over with quickly. In the grand scheme of
God’s timing, a lifetime is like a drop in a bucket.
Verses
14 to the end combine to make a prayer plea to God for specific blessing. The
first blessing requested is for God’s unfailing love to be poured out every
morning. This daily portion of experiential love will go a long way in keeping
us faithful and our eyes turned to the right perspective. Next Moses prays for
joy. He fully expects God to give him at least as many instances of joy as He
has given of pain. The third blessing is for the family. Moses wants his
children and grandchildren to know of the mighty deeds of the Lord. Finally
Moses prays for favour. Specifically he prays for favour in the workplace: that
God would establish the work of his hands. Although we might think it is our
work ethic, training, or aptitude, it really is only God who establishes our
work and gives us favour with employers and co-workers.
Psalm
91 is a favourite chapter for many. It is a psalm of declaration. In verse 2
the Psalmist says, “I will say of the
Lord…” or “I will declare of the
Lord…”. This is a statement of choice, not necessarily a statement of
emotion. The Psalmist may not feel
right now all the things he will be declaring of the Lord, but he knows them to
be true so he chooses to declare them no matter what. His faith is in an
unchanging God, so even if his situation changes his declaration need never
change.
Psalm
91:8 holds a great nugget of truth for us. The original language of this
passage would indicate that though we will observe with our eyes the thousands
falling at our sides, and the wicked being punished it won’t affect our souls. Although
we may see it there will be no lasting damage or emotional trauma for us. God
Himself will be guarding our hearts and our minds even though we will observe
it. The trauma will stop and start with our eyes and not affect our hearts.
This is encouraging to us and can act as a prayer to pray for the persecuted
church as many people see atrocity upon atrocity lived out before them. God is
able to let their eyes see without letting it scar their souls.
JOURNALING AND
PRAYER
1. Consider the
struggles you have already faced in your life and the ones you are facing now.
Consider the struggles that may be coming ahead for believers in our nation, or
as the time draws closer to the coming of Jesus. Now ask the Lord to give you a
perspective of how short these struggles and pains are (will be) in comparison
to the timeline He sees. Ask Him to give you His perspective of the length of
your suffering in comparison to all of eternity. Write down what He shows you.
Commit to living 100% for Him in the short time you have.
2. Do you really
believe it is the Lord alone who establishes the work of your hand and gives
you favour in the workplace (or school, or volunteer position, or ministry
area, etc.)? Ask the Lord if there are any areas of your life for which you
take credit instead giving credit to God. Confess any sin. Praise Him for the
many ways He has given you favour among the people you spend your days with.
3. Take some time to
pray for the persecuted church, for believers who face each day with the
possibility they may lose their own lives, be imprisoned, tortured, or lose a
loved one to persecution. Use Psalm 91 as a prayer guide, and especially when
you get to verse 8, pray they would continue to become emotionally whole and
not have their eternities affected by what their eyes see and that their hope
would not grow dim. Ask God for a word, picture, or thought to help you in your
prayer times for persecuted believers. Journal what He shows you.
