Finding Hope and Purpose in Mortality
Summary
In our earthly lives, we often find ourselves groaning within the confines of our mortal tent, longing for the eternal dwelling that awaits us beyond this life. This yearning is not unfamiliar to us, as it echoes the sentiments of Moses and the Israelites, who faced the stark reality of death in the wilderness. Yet, in the midst of this seemingly hopeless journey, we find profound hope in the eternal nature of God. Our God is not bound by the temporal constraints that govern our existence; He is from everlasting to everlasting.
Moses, in Psalm 90, confronts the inevitability of death, reminding us that our days are fleeting, like grass that flourishes in the morning and withers by evening. Our lives, though they may span seventy or eighty years, are but a moment in the sight of the eternal God. This Psalm, the oldest in the book and the only one penned by Moses, serves as a stark reminder of our mortality. Yet, it is not a message of despair, but rather a call to wisdom and purpose.
In the face of death, Moses finds hope in the steadfast love of God. He prays for God's favor and for the establishment of the work of his hands, recognizing that even in the wilderness, life has purpose. This purpose is not found in the fleeting pleasures of this world but in the eternal God who has made us for Himself. Our lives are not aimless wanderings but are imbued with divine intentionality.
As we consider our own mortality, we are called to live with purpose, to seek the reason for our existence, and to find our hope in the God who is eternal. We are reminded that death, though inevitable, does not have the final word. In Christ, we have the promise of life that transcends the grave, a life that is found in the steadfast love of our eternal God.
As we gather around the Lord's table for communion, we remember the death of Christ, which He endured so that we might live. We are invited to partake in this sacred act, reflecting on the sacrifice that grants us eternal life. And as we go forth from this place, we carry with us the hope that death is not the end, but a doorway to everlasting life with our Creator.
Key Takeaways:
- Death is a universal experience, yet it is not the end of our story. Our lives are a brief moment on the timeline of eternity, and it is in the eternal God that we find our true purpose and hope. This perspective transforms how we live each day, infusing our actions with eternal significance. [54:56]
- The inevitability of death should not lead us to despair but to a life lived with intention and wisdom. Moses' prayer in Psalm 90 to "teach us to number our days" is a call to recognize the brevity of life and to seek a heart of wisdom, making the most of the time we have been given. [45:55]
- God's steadfast love is the foundation of our hope in the face of mortality. Moses' plea for God to "satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love" is a reminder that each day is a gift to be lived in the light of God's enduring love and faithfulness. [51:30]
- Our purpose is not diminished by the proximity of death. The story of Dorothy Harath, who sewed clothes for orphans with her remaining days, exemplifies how purpose can be found and fulfilled at any stage of life, leaving a lasting impact on others. [49:37]
- The act of communion is a profound response to the reality of death. As we remember Christ's sacrifice, we are reminded that His death and resurrection have secured for us a life that death cannot extinguish. This truth empowers us to live with courage and hope. [01:00:03]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 90:1-12 (ESV)
- Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
2. 2 Corinthians 5:1 (ESV)
- For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
3. Ecclesiastes 7:1-2 (ESV)
- A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. 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.
Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 90, what does Moses mean when he refers to God as our "dwelling place" across all generations?
2. How does the imagery of grass that flourishes in the morning and fades by evening in Psalm 90 reflect our human experience?
3. What is the significance of Moses asking God to teach us to number our days?
4. Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 5:1, what is the contrast between our earthly home and the building from God?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Considering the eternal nature of God as described in Psalm 90, how should this influence our understanding of life and death?
2. What wisdom might we gain from numbering our days, as Moses suggests in Psalm 90?
3. How does the concept of our earthly lives being temporary align with the promise of an eternal dwelling with God?
4. In light of Ecclesiastes 7, why might it be considered better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the past week: How can you live more intentionally, keeping in mind the brevity of life as described in Psalm 90?
2. Identify a habit or activity that seems to contribute to a fleeting pleasure. How can you replace or reduce this with something that has eternal significance?
3. Think of a recent loss or a funeral you attended. How did it impact your perspective on life's purpose and your relationship with God?
4. Choose one way this week to demonstrate the steadfast love of God to someone facing a difficult time, as a reminder of the hope beyond our earthly existence.
5. Consider the work of your hands this week. What is one specific task you can dedicate to God, asking for His favor and purpose to be established in it?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Eternity in Mortal Moments
Life's brevity invites us to seek eternal purpose. In the face of our mortality, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the fleeting nature of our existence. Yet, this realization is not meant to lead us into despair but to inspire us to find our true purpose in the eternal. Our days on earth are limited, like grass that sprouts in the morning and withers by night, but within this transience lies the opportunity to connect with something greater than ourselves. The eternal God offers us a perspective that transcends time, encouraging us to live each day with significance that will outlast our earthly lives. By aligning our actions with divine intention, we infuse our lives with eternal value, transforming our everyday experiences into moments that matter in the grand tapestry of eternity. [54:56]
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Reflection: How can you live today in a way that reflects eternal values and priorities?
Day 2: Wisdom in Numbering Our Days
Seek wisdom through the brevity of life. The inevitability of death is a powerful teacher, urging us to embrace wisdom and live intentionally. As we consider the limited span of our earthly journey, we are called to number our days, not to count down to the end but to make each day count. This wisdom is not about accumulating knowledge or experiences for their own sake but about understanding the weight of each moment and the impact of our choices. A heart of wisdom guides us to prioritize what truly matters, to invest in relationships and endeavors that will bear fruit long after we are gone. It is in this pursuit of wisdom that we find the courage to live fully, love deeply, and leave a legacy that echoes into eternity. [45:55]
"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that will have a lasting impact on your life and the lives of others?
Day 3: Anchored in Steadfast Love
God's love is our constant in life's fleeting moments. Mortality may cast a shadow over our days, but it is the steadfast love of God that illuminates our path and fills us with hope. Each morning, we are greeted with fresh mercies, a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness. This love is not a fleeting emotion but a solid foundation upon which we can build our lives. It is a love that satisfies our deepest longings and empowers us to face each day with confidence. In the knowledge of God's steadfast love, we find the strength to navigate life's uncertainties and the grace to embrace each moment as a precious gift. [51:30]
"Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you." (Psalm 63:3)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's steadfast love in your daily routine?
Day 4: Purpose Beyond Proximity to Death
Death does not diminish our divine purpose. The proximity of death can often cast a shadow over our sense of purpose, yet our final days can be some of the most impactful. The story of individuals like Dorothy Harath, who dedicated her remaining time to serving others, reminds us that purpose is not bound by the length of our days but by the depth of our commitment. Whether we are in the prime of life or facing its twilight, there is meaningful work to be done, lives to touch, and love to share. Our purpose is a reflection of the divine intentionality that has crafted our existence, and it is never too late to make a difference. [49:37]
"Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children." (Psalm 90:16)
Reflection: What is one way you can serve or contribute to someone else's life this week, regardless of your own circumstances?
Day 5: Communion as a Response to Mortality
Remembering Christ's victory over death. The act of communion is a profound response to the reality of our mortality. As we partake in the bread and the cup, we remember the sacrifice of Christ, who conquered death so that we might have life. This sacred act is not merely a ritual but a declaration of hope, affirming that death is not the end but a passage to eternal life. In communion, we are united with Christ and with believers across time and space, sharing in the promise of resurrection and the life that death cannot extinguish. This truth empowers us to live with courage, knowing that our ultimate destiny is secure in the hands of our Savior. [01:00:03]
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." (John 6:51)
Reflection: How does the act of communion inspire you to live with hope in the face of life's uncertainties?
Quotes
- "Death is inevitable, but God is eternal. You're like, wow, earth-shattering, Corey. I know. It's a very simple point. Death is inevitable, but God is eternal." [40:23] (Download | )
- "Death is inevitable, but praise God, there's a three-letter word there. And it is... This is your junior high self can come out right now. But what would Moses in the oldest Psalm have to say in the face of this taboo reality?" [37:29] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "Death is inevitable but your life has purpose. This is not a meaningless aimless journey in the wilderness. Consider Moses saying this in the middle of his situation." [46:39] (Download | )
- "If you're alive, death may be inevitable but your life has purpose no matter what's happened. No matter what's in front of you. No matter what has held you back. God has a purpose for your life." [50:37] (Download | )
- "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us. Let your work be shown to your servants and your glorious power to their children." [51:30] (Download | )
- "In the face of the inevitability of death, give you a hope that doesn't fade with a diagnosis. A hope that can't be impacted by a tragedy. A hope that doesn't even end with a flat line." [55:39] (Download | )
- "Death may be inevitable, but there is hope. And in light of that inevitability, I have a few questions for you. Are you trusting in a God that is eternal beyond that day?" [54:56] (Download | )
- "Because of their sin, Moses and the Israelites are on a seemingly pointless journey just waiting to die. And they have no hope of reaching God's promised land. But Moses has found somewhere to have hope." [54:00] (Download | )
- "Why did he make me? He made you for a purpose. And he made you to have a relationship with him. That's why he made you." [55:39] (Download | )
- "In a moment we're going to take communion. And I can't think of a more appropriate topic as we come to communion. Because communion is what Jesus gave us, literally he gave this to us." [01:00:03] (Download | )
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