Prayer

I’ve been reading Psalm 90.  It’s a Psalm written by Moses.  I think knowing that it was written by Moses makes me stop and take notice.  I expect the Psalms to be written by David (most are) so when I see Moses’ name, I draw near in curiosity much like he did when he saw the burning bush.  I think to myself, “here’s something to pay attention to, it’s out of the ordinary.” 

It’s a prayer…by the man who communed with the Almighty God “face to face”…by the one whose face glowed with the glory of God after spending 40 days on Mt. Sinai…the most humble man who ever lived…a friend of God…who spent hours of time in the holy place before God.

Remember how Joshua would camp outside the tent while Moses communed with the Lord?  Was Joshua trying to hear what Moses said or how he communicated with the Awesome and Glorious Lord?  Probably so – I’ve wondered myself.   Yet we have a sample, right here in Psalm 90.

In the first 11 verses, Moses reveals his understanding of who God is.  God is a “dwelling place throughout all generations”...has “brought forth the whole world”…He is infinite: “from everlasting to everlasting”…He sees “our secret sins in the light of (His) presence”…”a thousand years are like a day” to Him…what great “fear is due” Him.

God is eternal and man is finite.  Moses was experienced with people – after all, he lead over a million stubborn, stiff-necked people out of Egypt and through the wilderness for 40 years!  He was aware that our days are “like the new grass…springs up new in the morning, but by evening is dry and withered”…”our days finish with a moan”…”even the best of our days are trouble and sorrow – they quickly pass and we fly away”…and that our “iniquities are ever before” God.

In these first 11 verses, Moses is saying, “If only we knew the Lord and His awesome power, greatness, and authority, we would live out our days in greater fear and reverence for Him. And if we consider the fleeting, troublesome years of our short lives, we would see our great need and the serious dilemma we face in this life.”

Yet, Moses gives us the answer to this dilemma: Prayer.  Here in verses 12-17 we have the privilege of entering into the secret place between Moses and the Almighty.  Let’s listen quietly and respectfully to the cry of Moses’ heart in light of the frailty of his life.  Let’s glean wisdom from one who spoke face to face with God.

1          1.V. 12 “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  The great sage, Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes that “death is the destiny of everyone” and “the living should take this to heart.” In Psalm 139 we read that “all the days ordained for us were written in Your book before one of them came into being.”  We live in greater wisdom when our eyes are focused on eternity – and the uncertainty of tomorrow.
 
      2. V 14 “Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”  Even though our lives are a “vapor” and “the best of our days are trouble and sorrow”, Our Lord will grant us satisfaction, joy, and gladness ALL our days.  Yet, we must ask.
 
      3. V 16 “May Your deeds be shown to Your servants, your splendor to their children.”  We must ask the Lord to show us His works, for when we see His working or deeds in our lives we are more aware of His constant care and provision.  Faith is built and His glory is revealed not only to us, but to our children or loved ones after us.
 
      4. V 17 “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands.”  Moses worked hard to follow God’s leading and obey His word.  But he needed God to grant him favor and success to furthering the Kingdom.  So do we.

How amazing and wonderful God is to have given us a glimpse into the prayer life of a great man of God!  Let’s follow Moses’ lead to pray more diligently in the light of our own fleeting lives.