Date: 6 October 2024, 9.30am
Speaker: Dn Lee Pak Choon Sermon Text: Psalm 90:1-17
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TRANSCRIPT
Let us pray before we start :
"Lord , open our hearts to receive your word this morning. As we study your Word in Psalm 90, may you grant us wisdom to number our days that we may live wisely with eternity in view.”
In Jesus’ name , we pray. Amen “
Introduction:
Today, I will be touching on a subject that is very relevant to all of us as Christians. It is the subject of living with eternity in view.
Eternity is a very abstract concept . On this side of Heaven, none of us have lived long enough to be able to tell us what eternity means in his or her lifetime.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3 : 11
“God has put eternity in man’s heart, yet he cannot find out what God has done from beginning to the end.”
However, not knowing it doesn’t mean that eternity does not exist or that it is not true, for what is known about eternity is written in the Scriptures for our understanding.
God has revealed the nature of eternity to us in many instances in the Bible. So, by putting our faith in God and in His word, we can understand and learn how to live with eternity in view.
A clear illustration of the nature of eternity is found in Psalm 90.
This psalm is a unique and profound narrative written by Moses. In fact, it is a prayer. It leaves no doubt that the psalm is written by Moses as the narrative is a reflection of his encounters with God and his experiences in the wilderness with the people of Israel.
The title of the psalm mentioned Moses as the man of God. Moses has such closeness with God that he was given the special title. In Exodus 33 : 11, it says “
God would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” And in Numbers 12 : 7 - 8, God spoke of Moses as a faithful servant in all his house. With him, God speaks face to face, clearly and not in riddles and he sees the form of the Lord.
Here is what CH Spurgeon, a renowned English preacher and theologian said about Moses :
“He was peculiarly a man of God and God’s man; chosen of God, inspired of God, honoured of God, and faithful to God in all his house, he well deserved the name which is here given him.”
“Moses, the man of God” is a special title that distinguishes his unique role as a prophet, servant-leader and mediator between God and the people of Israel.
Moses’ prayer in this psalm holds many precious lessons for us.
Let’s begin by looking into its context.
A good understanding of it will shed more light on why Moses wrote this prayer.
James Montogomery Boice, a prominent Christian theologian, has this to say: “The historical setting of the psalm is probably best understood by the incidents recorded in Numbers 20: (1) the death of Miriam, Moses’ sister; (2) the sin of Moses in striking the rock in the wilderness, which kept him from entering the Promised Land; and (3) the death of Aaron, Moses’ brother.”
The three significant events in Numbers 20 likely weighed heavily on Moses, shaping the somber tone of Psalm 90. We read of grief and loss in Psalm 90 : 3 : “You turn people back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust, you mortals.” We read of the frustration and anger in Psalm 90 : 7 - 8 : “We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.” We can almost hear Moses’ sigh at the passing of time in Psalm 90:10 : “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”
The backdrop of Psalm 90 is that of Moses leading the people of Israel in the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. This was a time when a whole generation passed away due to God's judgment on their disobedience, as recorded in the Book of Numbers.
Moses’ prayer in this Psalm offers us a deep reflection on the nature of life, time, and our relationship with God. As we delve into this Psalm, we will explore four key themes: the eternity of God, the frailty of humanity, the call to live wisely with eternity in view and finishing well.
I. The Eternity of God
Psalm 90 begins with a powerful declaration:
"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. (Psalm 90:1-2)
Here, Moses addressed God not as Elohim the Mighty One, nor as Jehovah, the Helper, but as Adonai, the Sovereign Lord. He declares that God has been their home in all generations.
I don’t know if this experience of God being our home affects us in the same way as it affects Moses. For Moses, being with God feels very much at home even though he and the people of Israel are always on the move in the wilderness.
Let me illustrate this with a local example.
Every year, when we celebrate our National Day, we sing our National Day songs with pride. We feel a strong sense of identity and belonging as citizens of Singapore when we sing the National Day songs.
We fondly remember the song called Home. It is a song that we have sung many times at the National Day celebration. It goes like this :
Whenever I am feeling low
I look around me and I know
There's a place that will stay within me
Wherever I may choose to go
I will always recall the city
Know every street and shore
Sail down the river which brings us life
Winding through my Singapore
This is home truly, where I know I must be
Where my dreams wait for me, where the river always flows
This is home surely, as my senses tell me
This is where I won't be alone, for this is where I know it's home
Indeed, we are proud to call Singapore our home. Home is where you find love, happiness, security and freedom.
Moses experienced the same feeling of home when he was with the Lord in the wilderness. He acknowledged that God had been his dwelling place in all generations, not just in the wilderness or the exodus from Egypt. He also knew from history that God was with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the generations after them and even to his days. How about the generations that come after Moses?
We thank God that we have the privilege of having the whole revelation of scriptures in the Bible. We are able to see that God is indeed the dwelling place of believers before and after Moses and even us who are the spiritual children of Abraham through faith in Jesus Christ.
The complete Bible consists of the OT and NT. Through the OT and NT narratives, we see that the Bible is the unified story of the way that God is saving the world through and for his Son, Jesus Christ, beginning from the Creation story in Genesis and ending in the New Creation in Revelations.
Moses did not know about the New Testament, yet he, seeing through the eye of faith, declares that God has been his dwelling place in all generations. Not just the past, but also the future as he declares in verse 2 : From Everlasting to Everlasting you are God.
How did Moses know the eternal nature of God?
It came from his many experiences and revelations he had throughout his life.
1. Divine Revelation:
Moses had direct encounters with God, such as the burning bush experience and receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. In these encounters, God revealed aspects of His character, including His eternal nature.
In Exodus 3 : 14, God reveals Himself to Moses as “ I am who I am “
14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
When God reveals Himself as "I AM WHO I AM", it signifies that God is eternal and unchanging. He exists outside of time and is not bound by it. He always was, is and will be. It also signifies that God is self-sufficient and self-existent.
2. Legacy of faith:
Moses was part of the legacy of God’s chosen nation that worshipped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The patriarchs experienced God in ways that emphasized His unchanging and everlasting nature. These stories and teachings have been passed down to Moses, shaping his understanding of God.
3. God’s intervention in history:
Moses witnessed God’s intervention in history, particularly in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their sustenance in the wilderness. These events reinforced his belief in God’s sovereignty over time and history, further emphasizing God's eternal nature.
Knowing that God is eternal, how does this truth affect us ?
God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. When we consider the eternity of God, we are reminded of His unchanging nature. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The truth of the eternity of God enables us to have the strength and confidence to handle life’s challenges.
1. It helps us find stability in an ever-changing world
Life is full of uncertainties, changes, and transitions. People, circumstances, and even our own emotions can be unstable. The understanding that God is eternal and unchanging provides a solid foundation amid the uncertainty of life. Knowing that God's character, promises, and love remain constant helps believers find peace and stability.
2. It comforts us in times of suffering and loss
During times of suffering, grief, or loss, the eternal nature of God provides comfort. While human life is temporary and fraught with pain, God’s eternal presence assures us that there is a larger, unchanging reality beyond our current circumstances. This can give hope that suffering is temporary and that God’s eternal plan includes restoration and redemption.
3. It assures us of God’s faithfulness
God’s unchanging nature means that He is always faithful to His promises. What He has promised in the past, He will fulfill, because His character does not change. This gives believers confidence that God will remain true to His word, providing assurance that He will never abandon or forsake them.II.
II. The Frailty of Humanity
In contrast to the eternity of God, Psalm 90 vividly portrays the frailty of human life. Moses writes,
“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.” (Psalm 90 : 3 – 4)
Human life is fleeting. We are like the grass that springs up in the morning and withers by evening. Our days are brief, and our years pass quickly.
Recently, I came across the news in the Straits Times of a 43-year old man who passed away suddenly after a game of badminton.
Joseph Tan who was a grassroot leader for Punggol West and his wife had gone to Johor Bahru for a game of badminton at an event on Sunday (Aug 18), but sadly, he never made it back to Singapore.
His wife, Cai told the reporter, “He was very excited and said he hadn't played badminton in a long time. We set off at 6am and played two games before he went to shower.” When her husband did not emerge from the shower room after some time, Cai went to check on him and saw him passed out on the ground. His friends helped to administer CPR before medical aid arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital. A heart attack was reportedly identified as the cause of death.
In a Facebook post the same day, Member of Parliament for Punggol West Sun Xueling paid tribute to Tan, describing how his passing "was a shock to all who knew him". Wrote Sun: "He was young, loved his wife deeply and was a good man.”
Life is transient and unpredictable.
William Shakespeare from the play Macbeth quotes:
"Out, out, brief candle! Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more."
In this speech, Macbeth after hearing of the death of his wife, reflects on the futility and fleeting nature of life, comparing it to a "brief candle" and a "poor player" on a stage who makes noise for a short time and then disappears, forgotten.
The apostle James says in James 4 : 14 : “ Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
We often make plans, assuming we have control over our lives and what will happen tomorrow. However, the truth is that we have no idea what circumstances or events might come, as life can change suddenly and unexpectedly.
This reality of the transient nature of life can make us feel uncomfortable, but it is also a powerful reminder of our dependence on God.
Moses goes on to describe the impact of sin on human life.
8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. 10 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.
He speaks of God's anger and wrath, acknowledging that our sins are ever before Him. The brevity of life is not just a natural reality but also a consequence of sin. Sin has brought death into the world, and it is because of this that we experience the fleeting nature of life.
But this is not meant to lead us to despair; rather, it is a call to humility and dependence on God. When we recognize our own frailty, we are reminded of our need for God's mercy and grace.
III. Living Wisely with Eternity in View
The central plea of Psalm 90 is found in verse 12: "Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom."
In light of God's eternity and our own mortality, we are called to live wisely.
What does it mean to "number our days"?
CH Spurgeon cited Tymme in his sermon which says, “ Of all arithmetical rules this is the hardest – to number our days. Men can number their herds and droves of oxen and of sheep, they can estimate the revenues of their manors and farms, they can with a little pain, number and tell their coins, and yet they are persuaded that their days are infinite and innumerable and therefore they never begin to number them.”
So teach us means that this wisdom must be learned. We don’t automatically know it. It has to be taught to us. In fact, most people live with little awareness that life is short, and their days should be numbered.
Moses meant when he prays to God to “teach us to number our days”, that we are to live with an awareness of the brevity of life and to use our time wisely, making choices that reflect our understanding of eternity.
How are we to do that?
1) Our lives on earth is temporary. Don’t be blindly busy.
I must confess that quite often I forget this. I got so caught up with work assignments that my life becomes very busy.
To be busy is not necessarily a bad thing. However, we must take note of our busyness.
Henry David Thoreau, an American philosopher has this to say about busyness:
"It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?"
In our daily activities, we need to seek God's wisdom. Human wisdom often fails to grasp the big picture, but divine wisdom allows us to see life from an eternal perspective. We are called to align our lives with God's will, to seek His guidance in our decisions, and to live in a way that honours Him.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
2) Death is not the end. Eternity awaits all,
Some believe once we die, we simply cease existing. They believe that after death, there is no continuation of consciousness, soul, or personal existence. It is a full stop like how a candle goes out when extinguished.
The Bible, however, says differently. Scripture teaches that while our present physical bodies will decompose, our souls will live forever, either in God’s presence or eternally separated from Him. In other words, eternity awaits all.
3) Don’t fear death. Truly Live.
Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor and stoic philosopher remarked:
"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live."
To truly live, we must invest our time in what truly matters. Too often, we become consumed with the temporary, the material, and the trivial. Psalm 90 challenges us to focus on what is eternal—our relationship with God, the love we show to others, and the impact we have for God's kingdom.
4) Live in Hope of Heaven. Our eternal glory
“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands’’ (2 Corinthians 5:1).
We have a secure hope that we will one day be with God in heaven. The death and resurrection of Jesus has made a way for sinful mankind to be reconciled to a holy God. When we declare that Jesus is Lord and Savior and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead, we are saved and we have eternal life. We can live boldly, having full assurance in where we are going after death. We also have the promise that Jesus will return, and we will be with Him forever.
For those of us who are suffering, take heart. Jesus says in Matthew 16:24 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. The cross is a symbol of suffering and sacrifice.” It means that following Christ involves a willingness to endure hardship and suffering.
However, our suffering is not without purpose or hope. In James 1:2-4, we are told, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The Bible teaches that suffering refines our faith, draws us closer to Christ, and prepares us for eternal glory.
5) Proclaim the gospel . Don’t keep it to ourselves.
Paul says in Colossians 4 : 3-6 : “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone”
The gospel is the greatest news for a broken world desperately hungry for hope. We shouldn’t keep it to ourselves. Having an eternal view should motivate us to share the gospel to the unsaved. Paul gives us the example. We are told to proclaim the gospel clearly and be wise in our interactions with non-Christians, making the most of every opportunity to share the gospel with them. Our conversation with non-Christians should be gracious and “seasoned with salt” so that we can effectively reach out and share our faith with everyone who asks about it.
6) Do Good Works. The Day of reckoning will prove your works.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” ( 2 Corinthians 5 : 10 ).
Our world is passing away with its desires, but those who do the will of God will abide forever. The things that this world holds dear such as money, possessions, power, status and security cannot be taken into eternity. Jesus tells us to lay up treasures in heaven where neither moth or rust can destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. We do this when we faithfully follow Jesus and obey His commands.
At the appointed time, we must all appear before God to be judged for our actions during our earthly lives and He will recompense our deeds, whether good or bad. These are sobering words, reminding us that we are accountable to God for the way we live our lives here on earth.
Finishing Well
As we consider Psalm 90’s call to live wisely with eternity in view, we reckon that many things can distract us from that perspective and cause us not to finish well in the end.
Someone said it well, “The Christian journey is a marathon, not a sprint.” In a marathon, many start well , but not many have the stamina and endurance to finish well.
We all know the story of King Solomon. He started well. He built the temple for the Lord. He asked for wisdom to govern Israel, which pleased God, who granted him unparalleled wisdom, wealth, and honour.
But later in his life, Solomon’s heart turned away from God. He married many foreign wives and began to worship their gods. His idolatry led to God’s anger and God declared that the kingdom would be torn from his descendants.
Solomon’s story serves as a warning about the dangers of drifting away from God. Despite his wisdom and blessings, his failure to remain faithful to God in his later years had significant consequences for his kingdom and legacy.
Reverend David Wong, in his book Finishing Well says:
“In order to finish well, we must value the right things and leave a good legacy behind for our next generation.”
Leaving a good Legacy
Three things he wrote that speak volumes about the kind of values that we should seek to have while we are living.
"A life well-lived is not measured by the wealth we accumulate, but by the love we leave behind and the impact we have on others."
"Our greatest legacy is not in the monuments we build, but in the lives we touch and the love we share."
"In the end, it is the relationships we build that define us. Cherish them, nurture them, for they are the true treasures of life."
Continue steadfast in the Faith
Paul wrote to the Phillipi church in Philippians 3:
“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” ( Philippians 3 : 13 -14).
We must keep running the race of faith daily. Our motivation to press on is fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Closing Thoughts
In closing, Psalm 90 calls us to a life of humility, wisdom, and purpose. It reminds us of the eternity of God, the brevity of human life, the importance of living with eternity in view and finishing well.
As we go through life, may we seek God's wisdom to number our days, to live in a way that honours Him, and to invest our time in what truly matters.
And when we come to the end of our life, I hope we can all say with confidence like Moses:
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
Amen.
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