Teach Us to Number our Days

Text

Psalm 90:12 KJV 1900

So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Introduction

The consensus for the authorship of is Moses and it is believed to have been penned before the publishing of Genesis or the other books of the Pentateuch. As you read Moses words your get a sense of regret but also a sense of hope. Many of us are familiar with the fact that God denied Moses and a host of his generation from entering into the Promised Land due to their disobedience and lack of faith. God had brought the through the bondage in Egypt. He had delivered them in grand display of his sovereign power. Yet, they failed to trust him and move forward. If there is one common theme among God’s people, one common sin, one might say it is the sin of faithlessness.

Moses is the

Hebrews reminds us:

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Did the Israelites lack faith in God, in their disobedience?

Certainly they did! As a result they wandered aimlessly through the wilderness for 40 years.

Transition

With these thoughts in mind it is clear that Moses was looking back with disappointment and regret as he was reflecting on this time. However regretful he may have been, he also gives us hope as he closes the Psalm with a prayer for a fresh perspective and experience of God.

I. The Right Perspective

No matter the circumstance in our life it is helpful for us to keep the correct perspective of God. As Moses reflected, he remembered that God is unchanging!

What a stark contrast that can be observed between the frail dust of humanity and the eternal unchanging God of heaven!

A. The sovereignty of God (v. 1-2)

B. The sympathy of God (v. 3-4)

C. The severity of God (v. 5-7)

God is not to be trifled with

Sometimes his judgement is swift sometimes it is slow - but this is only from our perspective

Galatians 6:7 KJV 1900

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

II. The Reality of the Problem

We like to use soft terms to describe our problems, but the reality is bluntly obvious, man is corrupt! Until we come to terms with this we will never move forward in our fellowship with God.

A. Our lives are sinful (v. 8)

B. Our lives are short (v. 9 -10)

C. Our lives are serious (v. 11-12)

III. The Resulting Prayer

“Life which has it’s perspective right, which has its greatest problems solved, will be occupied in a definite direction” John Phillips

To summarize Moses was reflecting on his past and is very forthcoming about regrets. he acknowledges that in all God is still right and man is still sinful!

“Abraham Lincoln once said, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” Let us seek to be on God’s side in whatever situation we find ourselves – and to be ready to answer the call when it comes.”

As we conclude this lesson let’s focus on the last section of this Psalm that records for us an important and instructive prayer.

A. A prayer for the moving of God (v. 13)

B. A prayer for the mercy of God (v. 14-15)

C. A prayer for the might of God (v. 16)

D. A prayer for the majesty of God (v. 17)

Conclusion