ì For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 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. Who knoweth the power of thine anger ? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. î Psalm 90: 7-12 The truth expressed by this ancient psalm of Moses may be hard for us to swallow. Our lives here in this world ñ our youth, our health, our strength, our beauty ñ are consumed by Godís anger. Why ? All our sins, including our secret sins, are laid out before Him. God sees into our hearts and knows our every thought and desire. No evil thought or desire, no unkind word or evil act are hidden from His sight.
From the time of our conception and birth on, we are subject to the divine judgments of a holy and pure God against sin. Each and every day of our lives passes away in His wrath and judgment. When we are young, we may not realize this; but as we grow older, we see and feel His anger and judgment upon us for our sinfulness.
As the psalm says, we ìspend our years as a tale that is told. î They pass quickly and then are over and past. Our life span, even with modern medicine, is still only about 70 years. And if we reach 80 or more, our years are filled with labor and sorrow. Our lives ñ even if long ñ are ìsoon cut off, and we fly awayî to meet our Maker and be judged by Him.
Godís anger and wrath against sin and His judgments upon us are hard for us to fathom. We donít fully know or understand how to fear and honor the LORD God, nor do we understand and rightly consider His wrath against our own sin. We fail to consider how quickly life is cut off. We donít recognize, even as we see death and suffering around us, that we too will soon die and meet our Maker and Judge.
Moses prays and we too ought pray: ì So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. î
Rather than spending our days in this world as though we will never die and face Godís judgment, we ought to number our days and realize that time is short here in this world. Why ? ì That we may apply our hearts unto wisdomî ñ that we might hear and study Godís Word and learn of Him and His ways.
If we read and study the Bible ñ which is Godís Word ñ we will not only learn of Godís will and our utter sinfulness. We will learn of His mercy in sending His Son Christ Jesus into the world to suffer and die for our sins and rise again that we might have forgiveness for our sins and not be condemned when we stand before His throne of judgment. We will learn that God offers and gives life eternal through faith in Messiah Jesus.
The Bible tells us, ì Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Godî (Romans 10: 17 ). It also says, ì But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good worksî (2 Timothy 3: 14-17 ).
O LORD God, give us the wisdom to realize that life is short and we will soon fly away to stand before Your throne of judgment. Teach us to number our days and apply our hearts unto wisdom that we may not put off what is important but, starting now and continuing throughout our lives, devote ourselves to the study of Your Word that we may learn of You and of the salvation You have provided for us and all people in Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name, we pray. Amen. [By Randy Moll, Word of God Lutheran Mission, Gentry Ark., www. wglm. org ]
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