A PRAYER OF MOSES!

 

Friday, November 24, 2023

 

A PRAYER OF MOSES!

 

Read: Psalm 90

 

Ps 90:1,10,12 and 17

90 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

 

          The introduction to Psalm 90 says: “A Prayer of Moses the man of God.” I find that both revealing and mysterious. Moses is a mixture of melancholy and zeal. Three sets of 40 years mark his life, and he mourns days he considers wasted and unproductive. The first 40 were spent in Pharaoh’s palace, the second 40 in the wastelands herding sheep, and now the last 40 herding people.

 

          He counts his days and calculates those that remain. He desires accomplishment but knows that it will now require more effort than before. He appeals to the Almighty! The word “establish” in verse 17 is kuwn and it means “to stand upright; to fix permanently.” He wants his work to be of value and he wants it to last.

 

          He desires the beauty of the Lord! The word “beauty” is no-‘am and it means “agreeableness, i.e. delight, suitableness, splendor or grace.” I think peace is involved here. It is the peace that comes from a closer – perhaps more mature – walk with God and the fulfillment of a life well lived.

 

Lord, from everlasting to everlasting Thou art God! Let our work be of substance and of lasting value. Let us see Thy beauty and experience Thy peace. AMEN