Finding Eternal Refuge in the Brevity of Life
Summary
Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses, invites us to reflect on the brevity of life and the eternal nature of God. Moses, writing from the wilderness, reminds us that while our earthly existence may seem transient and often filled with wandering, God remains our eternal dwelling place. Despite the Israelites' lack of a permanent home, Moses declares that God has been their refuge across generations. This psalm challenges us to find our home in God, recognizing that in Christ, we are never truly homeless. Our lives, like grass, are fleeting, but God is from everlasting to everlasting, sovereign over all creation.
Moses contrasts the eternal nature of God with the temporal nature of humanity. He acknowledges that God is the one who returns us to dust, emphasizing our mortality. Yet, in this acknowledgment, there is a call to wisdom. Moses asks God to teach us to number our days, to value each moment in light of eternity. This wisdom is not about knowing the exact number of our days but about living each day with purpose and in reverence to God.
The psalm also addresses the reality of sin and its consequences. While there is no condemnation for those in Christ, the natural consequences of sin remain. Moses reminds us that God's wrath towards sin is real, and it is only through Christ's sacrifice that we are saved from this wrath. Understanding the depth of God's wrath enhances our appreciation of His love and grace.
Finally, Moses prays for God's presence, satisfaction in His mercy, gladness, and the establishment of our work. He encourages us to seek God's favor and to trust that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Even when life feels fruitless, God is at work, and our efforts have eternal significance.
Key Takeaways:
1. God as Our Eternal Dwelling Place: Despite life's uncertainties and the lack of a physical home, God is our eternal refuge. In Christ, we are never homeless, for He is our shelter and our home. This truth encourages us to find our identity and security in God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. [11:59]
2. The Brevity of Life and the Call to Wisdom: Our lives are fleeting, like grass that withers. Moses urges us to ask God to teach us to number our days, to live with purpose and wisdom. This involves valuing each moment in light of eternity and seeking to live a life that reflects God's wisdom. [39:56]
3. Understanding God's Wrath and Love: The wrath of God towards sin is real, and it is only through Christ's sacrifice that we are saved from it. Recognizing the depth of God's wrath enhances our understanding of His love and grace, making the cross more significant. [38:00]
4. The Consequences of Sin: While there is no condemnation for those in Christ, the natural consequences of sin remain. Our actions have repercussions, and we are called to live righteously, understanding that God's discipline is an expression of His love. [29:42]
5. The Eternal Significance of Our Work: Moses prays for God to establish the work of our hands, reminding us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Even when life feels fruitless, God is at work, and our efforts have eternal significance. We are called to live by faith, trusting in God's providence. [53:43]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Introduction to Psalm 90
- [02:08] - Moses' Background and Context
- [03:29] - Moses' Early Life and Calling
- [04:43] - Exodus and God's Deliverance
- [06:19] - God's Sovereignty in History
- [07:33] - Provision in the Wilderness
- [08:10] - Fear of God vs. Fear of Man
- [09:47] - Wandering in the Wilderness
- [10:53] - God as Our Dwelling Place
- [11:59] - The Eternal Nature of God
- [12:48] - The Brevity of Human Life
- [14:56] - God's Sovereignty Over Life and Death
- [19:58] - The Fleeting Nature of Time
- [24:11] - Sin and Its Consequences
- [29:42] - God's Discipline and Love
- [39:56] - Teach Us to Number Our Days
- [45:05] - Seeking God's Presence and Mercy
- [50:07] - Establishing the Work of Our Hands
- [53:43] - The Eternal Value of Our Labor
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 90
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 90
Observation Questions:
1. What does Moses declare about God in Psalm 90:1-2 regarding His nature and relationship with humanity? [10:53]
2. How does Moses describe the lifespan of humans in comparison to God's eternal nature? [19:58]
3. What does Moses ask God to teach us in Psalm 90:12, and why is this significant? [39:56]
4. How does the sermon describe the Israelites' experience in the wilderness, and what does this reveal about their relationship with God? [09:47]
Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that understanding God's wrath enhances our appreciation of His love and grace? [38:00]
2. How does the concept of God being our "eternal dwelling place" provide comfort and security, according to the sermon? [11:59]
3. What does the sermon imply about the consequences of sin, even for those who are in Christ? How should this understanding affect a believer's life? [29:42]
4. How does the sermon interpret the significance of Moses' prayer for God to "establish the work of our hands"? What does this mean for our daily lives? [53:43]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea of God as your eternal dwelling place. How does this perspective change the way you view your current life circumstances? [11:59]
2. Moses asks God to teach us to number our days. What practical steps can you take to live each day with purpose and wisdom, considering the brevity of life? [39:56]
3. The sermon discusses the reality of God's wrath towards sin. How does this understanding impact your view of the cross and your relationship with God? [38:00]
4. Consider the natural consequences of sin mentioned in the sermon. How can you be more mindful of your actions and their potential repercussions in your daily life? [29:42]
5. Moses prays for God's presence and satisfaction in His mercy. How can you seek and recognize God's presence and mercy in your life this week? [45:05]
6. The sermon emphasizes the eternal significance of our work. Identify one area of your life where you feel your efforts are fruitless. How can you trust God to establish the work of your hands in that area? [53:43]
7. How can you cultivate a heart of wisdom, as Moses prays for in Psalm 90:12, in your personal and spiritual life? What specific actions will you take to grow in wisdom this month? [39:56]
Devotional
Day 1: God as Our Eternal Refuge
In the midst of life's uncertainties and the absence of a permanent physical home, God stands as our eternal refuge. Moses, in Psalm 90, reflects on the transient nature of human life and the eternal nature of God. Despite the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness without a permanent home, Moses declares that God has been their dwelling place throughout generations. This truth invites us to find our identity and security in God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. In Christ, we are never truly homeless, for He is our shelter and our home. This understanding encourages us to anchor our lives in the eternal presence of God, finding peace and stability in His unchanging nature. [11:59]
Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV): "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you seek to make God your dwelling place today, finding your identity and security in Him amidst life's uncertainties?
Day 2: Embracing the Brevity of Life with Wisdom
Our lives are fleeting, much like grass that withers, and Moses urges us to ask God to teach us to number our days. This is not about knowing the exact number of our days but about living each day with purpose and wisdom. By valuing each moment in light of eternity, we are called to live a life that reflects God's wisdom. This involves making choices that honor God and seeking to live in a way that aligns with His eternal purposes. Recognizing the brevity of life should inspire us to live intentionally, making the most of the time we have been given. [39:56]
Ecclesiastes 7:2 (ESV): "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart."
Reflection: How can you intentionally live today in a way that reflects God's wisdom and purpose, considering the fleeting nature of life?
Day 3: Understanding God's Wrath and Love
The reality of God's wrath towards sin is a sobering truth, yet it is through Christ's sacrifice that we are saved from it. Recognizing the depth of God's wrath enhances our understanding of His love and grace, making the cross more significant. This understanding should lead us to a deeper appreciation of God's love, as it is through His grace that we are redeemed. The cross stands as a powerful reminder of both God's justice and His mercy, calling us to live in gratitude and reverence for the sacrifice made on our behalf. [38:00]
Nahum 1:3 (ESV): "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."
Reflection: How does understanding the depth of God's wrath and love change the way you view the significance of the cross in your life today?
Day 4: Living Righteously Amidst Sin's Consequences
While there is no condemnation for those in Christ, the natural consequences of sin remain. Our actions have repercussions, and we are called to live righteously, understanding that God's discipline is an expression of His love. This awareness should lead us to a life of repentance and obedience, seeking to align our actions with God's will. By acknowledging the consequences of sin, we are reminded of the importance of living a life that honors God and reflects His righteousness. [29:42]
Hebrews 12:11 (ESV): "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek God's guidance to live righteously, understanding the natural consequences of sin?
Day 5: The Eternal Significance of Our Work
Moses prays for God to establish the work of our hands, reminding us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Even when life feels fruitless, God is at work, and our efforts have eternal significance. We are called to live by faith, trusting in God's providence and believing that our work has value in His kingdom. This perspective encourages us to persevere in our endeavors, knowing that God is using our efforts for His purposes. By seeking God's favor and trusting in His plan, we can find meaning and fulfillment in our work. [53:43]
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Reflection: How can you approach your work today with the mindset that it has eternal significance, trusting that God is using your efforts for His purposes?
Quotes
"Maybe some of you feel like, I've never really had a home either. Nah, if you're in Christ, the Lord is your dwelling place. The Lord is your home. The Lord is your shelter. Look at the next chapter, 91. He who abides in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to Yahweh, my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." [00:11:28] (25 seconds)
"Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. When were the mountains born? It's very likely probably during the flood. When the waters came up underneath and the water came down from above. Remember, they came from both directions to create this flood, this worldwide flood." [00:12:55] (23 seconds)
"I never have not been. I am. I have always been. I am. There's never been a time I've not been. I am. I have existed. And I don't need to explain my existence. There is no way to explain my existence because I just am God and I always have been and I always will be. I'm the first and the last. I'm the beginning and the end. I'm the alpha and the omega." [00:14:05] (25 seconds)
"You turn man back into dust and say, return, oh sons of men. For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it passes by or as a watch in the night. I want you to note that it is God who returns people to dust. It is God who brought us forth out of the dust. And by the way, remember this, you're just dirt." [00:16:14] (26 seconds)
"But we must understand, Christians, that God looks at sin with wrath. That God looks at sin with wrath. The Israelites are suffering because they sinned. And the wrath of God on sin is so great that he cursed the earth, right? The earth is cursed. We are experiencing that wrath even today. Just the very fact that we're going to die is the wrath of God against sinners." [00:25:23] (39 seconds)
"Church, we need to get a sound theology on this. When you share the gospel, people need to know that they're under the wrath of God because of their sin. And it's not their sin that's under his wrath. They are under his wrath. And that God in his mercy and his great grace and his love has sent someone, has himself stepped into flesh and went and took the wrath." [00:38:27] (28 seconds)
"Let the favor of the Lord. Our God be upon us and establish for us the work of our hands. Establish the work of our hands. A number of years ago, I got a job, a summer job. Doing a task of taking brochures. There were like, say, maybe five boxes here. And he took one brochure out of each box, assembled them, cellophane on top of them, and put them in this box." [00:50:00] (35 seconds)
"Knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Look, you're not pushing a boulder up a hill like Sisyphus, like your supposed founder. No, your work accomplishes something. It's not in vain. And Moses says, God, would you show us? That our work is not in vain. Show us some fruit. Let us see it. Establish what we do." [00:53:43] (35 seconds)
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