Moses described the brevity and difficulty of life and asked God to teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
Moses’ request shows us that we truly need God to guide our thoughts and to direct our paths. When left to our own thoughts we tend toward the trivial and the unsound. When we learn to number our days by turning to God’s direction, we get a light for our path and a lamp for our feet (Psalm 119:105).
Psalm 90 is a great Psalm that contains three parts–these three sections point us to the kind of understanding that we need.
First, we need to give praise to God. Moses declared the eternality of God and declared God’s goodness. From the very beginning God had been their “dwelling place” (Psalm 90:1-2). He can be counted on because He is “from everlasting to everlasting.” It was a poetic way of saying that you can depend on God to provide all your needs.
Second, we need to recognize that God is eternal and that we are temporal. Our lives are brief and filled with difficulty. Because of the brevity of life, we need to number our days and seek God’s wisdom so that we make our days count (Psalm 90:3-12).
Finally, we need God’s favor. The Psalm ends with a prayer that God would restore His favor toward His people (Psalm 90:13-17).
Moses asked for what we need–that God would establish his work. Moses wanted God to give his work lasting value.
Why not do the same? Why not acknowledge God in everything and ask for His favor for your efforts? Paul encouraged us in “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).
When you acknowledge God and ask for His favor, your days will truly count for Him. Though your life may be brief, your work can have meaning, significance, and longevity.
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