Read Psalm 90, The Context of Psalm 90

(This is an additional thought to the post on Psalm 90, last posted Aug. 11, 2019.)

We must also add that this Psalm is interesting given the leadership of Moses over the people of Israel for 40 years in the desert while all those who were over 20 years old at the start were destined to die.  There can be no question that Moses wrote this Psalm during the 40 years.  Go back through the major thoughts in this Psalm with the idea in mind that you are one of those who, by year forty, will be dead.  Imagine throughout the 38 years from the refusal to enter Canaan at Kadesh Barnea until the arrival at the Plains of Moab east of the Jordan River.  You would have seen thousands die in some plagues.  You would have seen many others die in the usual variety of ways: accidents, sickness, just old age for some.  And if you showed up at the Jordan, still alive, you would know it was now just a matter of days and you would be gone.

·        God is eternal (v1-2).  You would now know God as faithful, as having endured the abuse of people He loved and cared for.  You would have a special experience with His eternality.

·        Man is temporal (v3-6).  You would have seen some very powerful and important people gone now.  Miriam.  Aaron.  The crowd that were swallowed up in the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram.  Your closest friends.

·        Life is full of sorrow (v7-11).  You would now be an expert on this subject.

·        But oh, how the prayers and desires and attitudes of v12-17 would be real to you.  Teach me to number my days and use them well.  Be compassion Lord.  Be merciful now, not later.  Make me glad in this sorrowful life.  Honor Yourself through me.  Give me a legacy, Your legacy!

This perspective is important and valuable to us.  We ought not to keep thinking in the common way which is to assume that death is off down the road somewhere.  I have known some precious believers who, perhaps because of failing kidneys or hearts have known that they were going to be dead in 2 or 3 days.  I have seen and heard them speak with friends and loved ones and to be a tremendous encouragement by the way they trusted God in the toughest time.  I have also been around people when they suffered their first heart attack or even just a clogged artery that needed to be reamed out.  And I have seen the sudden panic and seriousness they came to have about how they were living and using their lives.  It is a good thing to think like the Israelite in the wilderness who knows that “by year forty I will be dead.”  After all …

We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good (useful) or bad.  (2 Cor. 5:10)