Submitted by Pastor Richard Boettner, Rock Port Baptist Church

I hope in this article to present some truths about God from a favorite psalm of mine, Psalm 90, which has been a personal help to me. Listed below are four points to consider from this Scripture:

1) God is wonderfully eternal. In verse 2 this is stated as “from everlasting to everlasting.” His pre-existence before creation is also mentioned: “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” To move past just knowing this, to experiencing it for myself, I can find confidence in God’s creation and my present life as part of His great plan.

2) Life is incredibly challenging. Moses moves to several verses that are a realistic lament of our human condition: we face a certain mortality and eventual death, people are sometimes swept away with an unexpected passing, we can be crippled with fear, and our sins that we keep secret from others are still known by God. He recognizes that 70 or 80 years is a long life, but we end it with a moan, and struggle that even the best of our days are but trouble and sorrow. Stopping here would be discouraging but there is good news.

3) Experiencing God is possible and attainable. Moses asks God to teach him and to give him wisdom in this complex world. Moses finds in worship and praise that every day can move from trouble and sorrow to singing and joy. He prays and looks forward to the coming of Jesus by seeking satisfaction from God, and gladness because God is with us even in our affliction. God does not leave us abandoned but remains faithful to us and redeems our hardship.

4) God’s favor and blessing should be our constant prayer. He asks for God’s favor to rest on him. He prays for the works of his hands to be established. He asks that God’s splendor would continue to his children.

While Moses’ prayer is truly awesome and a blessing for us today, we must remember that the fulfillment of this prayer is in Jesus Christ. John 1:17 reminds us that “the law came through Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” When we believe in Jesus we can be sure of eternal life. We can face the challenge of life’s hardships and overcome with joy because He is with us. We also move past a God who merely exists or is in heaven to One who loves us personally and longs for us to experience Him in a personal way. Through His Holy Spirit we can live with purpose and see blessings in this life. His kingdom and His Church will be built in and through us. Lord, “establish the work of our hands.”

I sincerely pray that this writing will help you to follow Jesus. If you have questions or comments please feel free to contact me at the e-mail tab on rockportbaptistchurch.com.