North Athens Baptist Church

In reading Psalm 90 one is struck by the contrast with which the poet begins.  The first six verses highlight the difference between God and man.  God is eternal but man’s life is fleeting.  In verses 7-11 we see the reason for man’s fleeting existence on this earth.  Death is not natural but comes because of sin.  All men are under the sentence of death and ultimately the wrath of God because of sin.  The average life span Moses says is about 70 years but even if it is longer the days of our lives  “are soon gone and we fly away.”(ESV)  All of us have had the experience of dealing with a sudden death, or if you haven’t you soon will, and it is always unsettling to face the reality that the person that we have known and loved is separated from us.  In light of these truths the Psalmist prays that God will “teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (ESV).  The days of our lives are so few and they can so quickly end that we need wisdom to live by the Word of God.  One of our most treasured hymns is based on Psalm 90 and Isaac Watts penned a profound truth when he wrote: “Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all its sons away.”  May our prayer be like that of Moses and may we realize the brevity of life and live each day in obedience to the commands of Jesus Christ.