THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES

INTRODUCTION

Is it not quite interesting that we would label one’s passing as “A Celebration of Life”? Perhaps that could be more appropriate for one’s “Birthday” or what I prefer to call “Day of Purpose”.

While most can reason with the label, wouldn’t it be better to be alive and present to experience “A Celebration of Life”, rather than being absent from the body and others seemingly celebrating it?

Moreover, whether absent or present human life should be celebrated; however, it is essential to seek and embrace God’s wisdom because “The Days of Our Lives” are transitory.

As I reflected upon my “Day of Purpose” (that is, what most would consider a Birthday), I thought how interesting it was that when one died we would consider it “A Celebration of Life”.

I said to myself, while I can partly understand it, I would personally rather be alive and present to experience my “Celebration of Life” than to be absent from the body and others seemingly celebrating my life.

Moreover, I thought how important it is to not only celebrate life, but to draw closer to God and embrace His wisdom to celebrate others because “The Days of Our Lives” are transitory.

I. ARE FINITE AND FRAIL (Psalm 90:1-6)

Psalm 90:1–6 Wordstudy KJV

1 Lord, thou hast been our [dwelling place] in [all generations.] 2 Before the mountains were [brought forth,] or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even [from everlasting] to everlasting, thou art God. 3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it [is past,] and as a watch in the night. 5 Thou [carriest them away as with a flood;] they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which [groweth up.] 6 In the morning it flourisheth, and [groweth up;] in the evening it is [cut down,] and withereth.

We must come to the realization that there is a “GREAT” disparity between Elohim (God the Creator) and man.

This portion of the psalm contrasts God and man, and gives the response which that contrast prompts. (90:1-6)

Elohim (God) is Everlasting and Humans are Finite

God is the saints’ eternal dwelling place (providing shelter)

He is “from Everlasting to Everlasting” (before everything was)

All Generations Take Refuge in God

The LORD is Above Time

Our Life is Fragile

II. ARE NUMBERED (Psalm 90:7-12)

Psalm 90:7–12 Wordstudy KJV

7 For we [are consumed] by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. 8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. 9 For all our days are [passed away] in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 10 The days of our years are [threescore years and ten;] and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon [cut off,] and we [fly away.] 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Man’s life is transitory because of God’s wrath against sin.

Man is Consumed by God’s Anger

God sees Man’s Sins

God sees the Secret Sins

Man is a Sinner Living Under God’s Wrath

Life has been Limited

70 years (3 score + 10)

80 years (4 scores)

Man Should Seek God’s Wisdom (Because Life is Short)

To Acknowlege Our Brevity of Days

To Recognize Our Strength, Labor, and Sorrow (Vicissitudes of life)

To Realize the Fact of Our End

III. REQUIRES GOD’S COMPASSION (Psalm 90:13-17)

Psalm 90:13–17 Wordstudy KJV

13 Return, O Lord, [how long?] and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. 14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and [be glad] all our days. 15 [Make us glad] according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. 16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. 17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

Intercession is a key element to God’s compassion.

Prayer is the key, Faith unlocks the door. Prayer can shake up the heavens, Prayer can move the heart of God!

Moses pleaded with the LORD to have compassion on His servants (v. 16). This was their only hope. Verses 14-15 seem to suggest that the nation was undergoing a particularly severe period of chastening for sin, a “night” of trouble as it were. The morning suggests a new era of joy for God’s people.

Prayer can turn sorrow (or trouble) into joy

Prayer can manifest God’s loyal love and a life of rejoicing

Instead of the Wrath of God, we can have the Joy of LORD

Prayer can reveal God’s splendor and extend His Favor

Although life may be short, Man can enjoy the fruit of Labor with success

CONCLUSION

THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES can be hard living under the WRATH of God, but they can become much more easier under His FAVOR!

“When God rebukes us for sin, we feel most frail and transitory. But when we are blessed by God’s FAVOR we feel most worthwhile—sharing in the work of the Everlasting God (EL’ Olam).

When weakened by God’s discipline, we are keenly aware of our mortality (death); however, when abiding in God’s love and compassion, we are aware of being crowned with glory and honor.

As Moses pleaded to God on the behalf of the servants, so Christ became the propitiation (substitute) for the sinner on the behalf of our shortcomings.

Romans 5:6–11 Wordstudy KJV

6 For when we were yet [without strength,] in [due time] Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a [righteous man] will one die: yet peradventure for a [good man] some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, [in that,] while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Let us not wait too late before we can experience the fulfillment of the life God has given. Let’s celebrate life and others while they are alive. Our lives are transitory (brief, short, passing), but they can still exude (radiate) the manifestation of the Father’s joy and favor!

John 10:10 Wordstudy KJV

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it [more abundantly.]

As I reflect upon “THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, I celebrate the goodness of my Blessed Savior and His Amazing Grace. You see God has been so good to me!