LORD’S DAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Psalm 90:1-17
1 Corinthians 15:22-32

We are but sojourners
on this earth.

“ONLY ONE LIFE ’TWILL SOON BE PAST ONLY WHAT’S DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST”

The title of Psalm 90 declares Moses to be its author. Moses has written other Psalms, such as Exodus 15:1-19 and Deuteronomy 32:1-43.

It is Calvin who points out that though man knows his life is short, yet he plans for the things of this life as if he is going to live on earth forever. It is wisdom to make preparations for the next life when we realise, by the average law of life we live to only seventy, and if strong to eighty years. This is the average longevity even in our modern day. Moses having outlived two generations in his time also had to go at 120, though “his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated” (Deut 34:7). If modern medicine can increase man’s age to one hundred, it is still two decades below Moses’ age. Reader, how old are you this year? Have you made preparations for the life beyond?

If a man lives up to eighty years in the presence of the eternal Father and God Almighty, it is only like the rising and ebbing of a flood, like a dozing off to sleep, like grass that flourishes in the morning but is mowed down at sunset. It is like a watch in the night, like the telling of a story. Even then there is no guarantee that everyone will live to a ripe old age, for living in a world that is cursed by sin, our life may be cut short by sickness, accident, war, famine, crimes, etc. All these things happen under God’s sovereign hand, by His decretive will or permissive will. So Moses observes, “Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men” (Ps 90:3). In verse 7 he says further, “For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.”

There are those who, because of man’s shortness of life, adopt an Epicurean philosophy: “… let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die” (1 Cor 15:32). But is death the end of all things? Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

THOUGHT: (Read Psalm 90:10.)
PRAYER: Teach me, Lord, to number my days and to apply my heart unto wisdom.