This psalm is ascribed to Moses making it the oldest psalm. Moses knew the same God we do, but he saw and experienced so much with God. I wonder if Moses ever took that for granted? It’s not all of us who are chosen by God with great responsibility and the privilege to stand on holy ground and witness God talking through a bush that never burns up.
Where do you see God? I see him in spring with the bloom of every flower. I hear him in the playing of an accomplished musician or a bird chirping in the tree. I feel it when we are blessed with safe travel and reunion with family and friends.
None of us may have been charged with leading the Israelites out of slavery, between the opening in the sea as the waters were parted. We are, however, chosen to share our faith, to reflect God’s light of hope in this broken world. We follow a God who loves us, unconditionally, and that is a privilege and honor. But I feel my witness is pretty passive. How about you? I need to up my game in terms of boldness.
Verse 12 is really resonating with me, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” I don’t want to stop with wisdom. I want to grow in relationship with God and with the others he has called me to love.
Moses’ prayer is a great reminder to how big our God is. we are just a speck, a fleeting moment in time, yet he loves us. He knows our hearts. Verse 13 also jumped out at me. “O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants!” Do you long for the day of Jesus’ return? Moses’ words are already pointing to Jesus.
Moses ends today’s reading with a fitting request. “Yes, make our efforts successful!” What’s important here is that do not succeed on our own. It is only with God’s help, provision and approval that our “efforts”, endeavors, decisions, dreams, etc., can succeed. If God is for us, who can be against us? Plenty of people actually, but it doesn’t matter when God is working in us. When it is God’s will we can be sure he’s supporting our success. Can we still fail? Only if we lose sight of God’s leading and listen to the lies and deception of the evil one.
Reread this psalm, keeping in mind that Moses is writing this for us today. While it is truly fitting for the fickle followers he was bringing along, it is true for us today.
Let’s pray. Lord, I come to you with thanksgiving for safe travel and the blessings of family and friends. I pray for continued help in preparing my heart for this new chapter in my life. Our days are numbered Lord, and we look forward to the day of your return and our reunion with you. Help me to cherish each day and live it to the fullest, walking in your will, shining in your glorious light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
