Bible.com.au: Reading Plan - Joy in God … no Matter What?

Reflection: Now we see Moses respond to God, and his wrath. Instead of distress that our life is so short, Moses asks God to ‘teach us to number our days’, so that we may gain ‘a heart of wisdom’. Why does he ask this? Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from fearing God: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10). When we accept this, we see life differently — from God’s perspective. What impact does this have in our relationships?

What does it mean to number our days? It means God gives us a true and healthy understanding of the life span he has given us. Instead of railing against it, we accept that God knows us and what is best for us. We can live face to face with God now, and in eternity.

Moses asks God to return, and to have compassion on his people, in v 13.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help us and teach us to wisely number our days. Please grow us in wisdom from you. Please help us have soft hearts towards you. Help us have a true view of our lives, and of your love, giving us sure hope. Help us to see our mortality in a true and healthy way, as you see it.

Psalms 90:1-17

Book IV

Psalms 90–106

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

1Lord, you have been our dwelling place

throughout all generations.

2Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the whole world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3You turn people back to dust,

saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”

4A thousand years in your sight

are like a day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.

5Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—

they are like the new grass of the morning:

6In the morning it springs up new,

but by evening it is dry and withered.

7We are consumed by your anger

and terrified by your indignation.

8You have set our iniquities before you,

our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9All our days pass away under your wrath;

we finish our years with a moan.

10Our days may come to seventy years,

or eighty, if our strength endures;

yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,

for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

11If only we knew the power of your anger!

Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.

12Teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13Relent, Lord! How long will it be?

Have compassion on your servants.

14Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

for as many years as we have seen trouble.

16May your deeds be shown to your servants,

your splendor to their children.

17May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;

establish the work of our hands for us—

yes, establish the work of our hands.

Joy in God … no Matter What?

Day 12 of 14

NIV

Psalms 90:12-13

Days

Psalms 90:1-17