“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You return man to dust
and say, ‘Return, O children of man!’
For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.
You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers…
For all our days pass away under your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
The 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…
So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom…
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
Let 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!” Psalm 90:1-6,9-12,14-17
Before ever He’d created earth, God was. Then He broke through time and space to fashion man within it, and we chose temporal pleasure over eternal satisfaction, bringing down rightful wrath. Since Eden, in the mire of time’s limitations and troubles, we yearn for purpose. Here is where the merciful Sovereign displays and imparts holy power to His own, granting wisdom and favor for the days of our lifespan here below. (Genesis 1:26-29; 2:16-18; 3:1-24; Psalm 93:2)
And so we go about our generations within the setting of seasons. Each man is assigned a number of days known only to the Lord and spanning toil both troublesome and meaningful. We make the most of this life when we abide in Him, trust His establishing of present work in His kingdom plan, and living with the certain hope of dwelling with Him forever. (Deuteronomy 33:27a; Job 12:10; 14:5; Psalm 91:1-2,9,14-16; John 15:5; Revelation 21:3)
Do we have such a perspective, viewing each day through a lens of eternity? We are limited here by time and order, but God considers less how much we do as what is done with and for Him. How can this motivation change the choices we make? How will we implement every gift and task to honor Him and further His ways? (2 Peter 3:8)
“Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice;
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.” ~C. T. Studd (1860-1931)
Good Father, may I number and order my days in godly wisdom, declaring Your love and faithfulness morning and night, honoring You every hour, and bearing fruit through the years. (Psalm 92:1-2,12-15)
As the rain and snow 