SCRIPTURE: Psalm 90
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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. [Psalm 90:5-6]
God is eternal, enduring, everlasting, like the mountains.
We are finite, short-lived, here today and gone tomorrow, like the grass.
Moses’ point is that trusting in ourselves is foolish, only God can establish us into eternity.
Moses and the Israelites knew instability and impermanence, wandering through the wilderness with no fixed address.
Their only sure and solid ‘dwelling place’ was God, only He could establish them.
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? [Matthew 6:30]
Jesus also uses the analogy of grass, only He turns it into a positive picture.
Moses says that we are just like grass; Jesus says we are ‘much more’ than grass.
Yes, God cares for the grass, but He cares so much more for His children!
Therefore, in the midst of instability, uncertainty, hardship, misery (what the Japanese are experiencing right now!), God is a reliable source of strength and hope.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. [Matthew 6:34]
All our confidence in human security measures surrounding nuclear plants – designed to withstand natural disasters – comes crashing down.
But, it is argued, this was an unprecedented disaster… Well not anymore.
We’re told that other nuclear plants are safe, designed to withstand natural disasters – the preferences ones at least… Can we be so sure?
Our confidence in human security measures is as good as building a house of grass, here today and gone tomorrow.
Instead we need to trust in God, the only certain and reliable Being.
He needs to establish our efforts; whatever we do will come to nothing unless He gives it permanence.
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. [Psalm 90:17]
PRAYER:
Lord, I am short-lived like grass, yet loved so much more than grass. Into Your hands I commit my life, my future, and the work of my hands. Forgive me for relying on my own security measures, rather than on You!
God is God. God is the I am who is the I am. Aways was and always is and always will be. And in whom do I trust. Where is my hope? Where is my strength?
Time for mankind is fleeting. It is here and swooosh, it is gone and is no more. A thousand years like a day i His sight, and we thought we could live forever. Our days are numbered and each of those days we need to live in His presence. I need to live this day placing God first. I need to live each day saying Today God Is First! Then will I also gain a heart of wisdom. I am not my own, but belong to my Saviour – Jesus Christ – Who paid the price for me so that I should not perish and wither like the grass, because I am His and He is mine!
Rejoice and be glad. May the works of my hands praise Your name Oh God. Some put their trust in princes, in rulers of this world, in the works of man, but I will put my trust in the living true God, the Captain of my soul.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
While th’Apostles’ fragile bark
Struggled with the billows dark,
On the stormy Galilee,
Thou didst walk upon the sea;
And when they beheld Thy form,
Safe they glided through the storm.
Though the sea be smooth and bright,
Sparkling with the stars of night,
And my ship’s path be ablaze
With the light of halcyon days,
Still I know my need of Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
When the darkling heavens frown,
And the wrathful winds come down,
And the fierce waves, tossed on high,
Lash themselves against the sky,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea.
As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will,
When Thou sayest to them, “Be still!”
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
’Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
“Fear not, I will pilot thee.”