Leaving a Legacy

This Psalm is the oldest of the Psalms, being written by Moses

God is Our Home - Psalm 90:1-2

Psalm 90:1–2 NIV

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

For much of His life, Moses did not have a home or lived among strangers. There are three periods of 40 years each in His life

He grew up in the palace of Pharoah

He fled to Midian after killing a man

He wandered in the wilderness

Paul described our citizenship in Heaven - Philippians 3:20

Philippians 3:20 NIV

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Home is where God is

Two Challenges to a Lasting Legacy

Our Lives are Brief - Psalm 90:3-6, 10

Psalm 90:3–6 NIV

You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.” A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death— they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.

For those of us who are older, Life seems to go by fast

Illus of new grass - vs. 5-6

God is not bound by time, so the length of our lives are but moments

Psalm 90:10 (NIV)

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures;

We have Many Regrets in our Lives - Psalm 90:7-11

Psalm 90:7–11 NIV

We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.

There were many times that Moses witnessed God’s anger

In response to the spies at Kadesh - Numbers 14:10-12, 20-23

Numbers 14:10–12 NIV

But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.”

Numbers 14:20–23 NIV

The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.

In response to worshipping the golden calf - Exodus 32:31-33

Exodus 32:31–33 NIV

So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.

There may be many regrets and struggles in life

God gives us Instructions for a Godly Legacy - Psalm 90:12-17

We must use our time to gain wisdom from all our experiences - Psalm 90:12

Psalm 90:12 NIV

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15–17 NIV

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

We must count on God’s loving compassion toward His people - Psalm 90:13-14

Psalm 90:13–14 NIV

Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Our joy will exceed our struggles - Psalm 90:15

Psalm 90:15 NIV

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NIV

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Our deeds will impact future generations - Psalm 90:16

Psalm 90:16 NIV

May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

Psalm 145:4 NIV

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

God will bless our work - Psalm 90:17

Psalm 90:17 NIV

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.