Psalm 90: In God We CAN Trust

Psalm 90 is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, psalm ever written. It is a prayer well-matched for times of crisis. Upon reading and reflecting on Psalm 90, written by Moses, the words “In God We Trust” jump to mind. In Psalm 90, Moses asks God to bless His people in view of how short life is. Picture the Israelites wandering in the desert, lost and confounded, searching for answers. Moses points them to God. Trust in God, for God is good and trustworthy. God is for you, not against you. God is our ever-present help in trouble. God is everlasting. He has always been, He is, and He will always be. He is our help of ages past. Since the beginning of creation, every generation of believers have found refuge and shelter in the protective arms of the Lord.

A thousand years are but a day to Him.

2 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the LORD a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

Time does not bind God. The Lord is not limited by time like you and I are. For us, time is an instrument we mark progress with and a tool that helps us relate events. The Lord is not subject to time like we are. Our time, Moses observes, is finite. Our time is limited. God is forever. We are but a vapor…

Death exists because of the sin God must judge us for. We cannot hide our sin from God anymore than Adam and Eve could. The wages of sin, Scripture reminds us (Romans 6:23) is death. Death binds us physically and spiritually. But for God…

Since our days are so brief compared to the eternity of God, Moses reminds us to spend our time wisely. A heart of wisdom is able to discern the will of God and recognize God’s purpose for our lives. We must be careful not to squander the opportunity the Lord has given us. We should be faithful like God is faithful.

Moses asks the Lord to extend compassion and grace upon His sinful people. He urges God to balance His judgement with the loyal love He promises His people so that they could experience living with joy and gladness. We can trust God to keep His promises.

We can see the Lord’s splendor all around us and we are able to experience God’s mercy daily. Seeing God’s majesty tells us that God is trustworthy because He is all powerful. His mercy abounds in us, giving us hope, and showing us that because of His love, we can trust in the Lord.

Through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, God removed the guilt of our sins. We are spiritually freed from death. Yet, today, the consequences of sin—physical death—still remain. Because of the Lord’s mercy, grace, and love you and I can enjoy life and focus on making a contribution to the world and advancing His kingdom.

In God We CAN Trust!

Prayer:

Father: Thank you for being a trustworthy God, a faithful God, a merciful and loving God. You are good Lord, you are SO good. You know every day of our lives. You are our ever present help in times of trouble. You are our refuge and our strength. You are for us, not against us. O Lord, how great is your love for us! May I spend my time wisely, sharing the Gospel, and advancing Your kingdom. Forever and ever. Amen. 

Psalm 90

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You return man to dust
and say, Return, O children of man!
4 For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.

5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10 The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who considers the power of your anger,
and your wrath according to the fear of you?

12 So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!