A Lesson In Peace: Psalm 90
By Millie Harris
All of us, if we have the blessing of living long enough, are eventually faced with uncertainty and circumstances which we never could have foreseen, both joyful and sorrowful. Life is never guaranteed to continue as it has in the past. This is the great human condition. With that in mind then, how do we deal with life when situations arise which we were not expecting or which we do not understand? The only answer to this turbulent life is God. This world is chaotic and busy. Life has moments of happiness, exaltation, grief and trouble. God is the only constant throughout all generations (Psalms 90:1).
We can learn much by reflection on Psalms 90 and the words attributed to Moses. When we look at the life of this great hero of faith, we certainly understand that Moses lived his life in circumstances he could not possibly have understood or foreseen. How could Moses have ever dreamed of the plans God had for him? How can I dream of the things God wants to accomplish through me? When the unforeseen happens to us, do we ever stop to think about how this circumstance might be useful in our service to God? Did Moses always want to do what God had in mind for him? No! Did he make excuses? Yes! How about us? Do we always want to do what is placed in our path by God? No! Do we make excuses? Of course! It is in these moments of uncertainty that our devotion to God, and understanding of him, becomes imperative, as it was for Moses.
So, what did Moses understand that we must also understand as we live this tumultuous life? He recognized that the Lord is everlasting and has been the refuge for all men who have sought him, in all generations. Is my life more uncertain than the lives of those who served God in the past? Is my life more uncertain than Noah’s as he built an ark for rain he had never seen? Is my life any more chaotic than Abraham’s must have been as he left his home in Ur? Is my life more unfathomable than the apostles as they watched the man they knew was their Lord and savior die on a cross? None of these understood the plan, so how did they conquer? What was the common thread? God!
Moses understood that we are all simply on a journey, just as those before us. We understand that all of our years are as a dream (v.5). Moses says we have seventy years, or maybe eighty if we are strong. What is the implication for that in my life? As I near seventy, I am reminded that I won’t be around forever. This is not a depressing thought to me in many ways. I crave time with my children and grandchildren. I enjoy my friends and those that I love. I am never bored when I am with my sisters. God has certainly blessed me on this earth. However, Moses also reminds us that the span of each of our lives is but toil and trouble. If this is true, then what is the only thing that will make my life stable, and bearable, when hard times come? God must be my anchor as he has been for all the faithful before me. I must long to please my God and to dwell with him. Although the events in my life may not seem simple at times, my journey is simple if I trust in God as those before me have done. I simply follow him.
Moses also understood that it is not a depressing or morbid idea to number our days. It is the wisdom of God. It brings us gratitude and fulfillment. In fact, it is joyous to think of what God has done for us. As we look back over our lives, the unforeseen circumstances were often the greatest blessings. It is often in those times that we can most clearly see God’s purpose for us. He built our faith. He taught us reliance. He developed our abilities. God will do these things for us IF we let him.
As I have certainly begun the last stage of my earthly life, I look back at the blessings and hardships. I look back at the struggles. I look back at the joys. Have I had moments of confusion and uncertainty? Of course! Have I had times when my faith struggled? Certainly! Have I enjoyed moments of pure strength and determination? Undoubtedly! I find myself contemplating my life and its blessings. I am thankful to God that he has given me the years to see the fruit of my labors. God is great! He is the only hope in this depraved world. I cannot afford to believe that my life is any different from those who have gone before me. I cannot afford to believe that I am the only person whose life is utter chaos. I cannot afford to believe that I can find a better way to deal with life’s uncertainties. God is the only answer, and he will establish the work of our hands.