Today's Reading: Psalm 90: Prayer of Moses, the man of God
Lord, through all generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.
You turn people back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, you mortals!" For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours. You sweep away people like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered. We wither beneath your anger; we are overwhelmed by your fury. You spread out our sins before you--our secret sins--and you see them all. We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan.
Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. Let us, your servants, see your work again; let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful.
Have you ever blundered or simply slipped up in life? Made a step you thought was good but turned out to be so wrong? Well, that is where I have been this week. Trying to recover from my slip up. It feels horrible to have to go so long being "successful" then with one wrong stitch you have to rip all your work out and start over. It's painful but in the long run it's worth it. I suppose you could continue on as if the mistake never happened but like my Granny and Papa taught me, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right."
This is where the people of Israel were when Moses prayed Psalm 90. They had slipped up yet again and Moses was praying for deliverence and restoration.
Verses 1-6 are a hymn-like introduction declaring God's eternity and the transience of human life. Verses 7-10 speak of the brevity and sorrow of human existance. Verses 11-12 are a prayer that the people may learn wisdom from considering this. Verses 13-17 are a prayer that Israel be delivered from its difficulties.
Remember, even if you have take a few steps back or have to undo some of your "work", God will see you through.
Power Verses:
I Cornithians 10:12-13
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
James 1:2-3
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
Matthew 26:41
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!
Thoughts from chapter 17, pg. 192-194 of Espresso for a Woman's Spirit by Pam Vredevelt
I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor and destitute. Clothe those who are cold and don't hide from relatives who need your help. If you do these things, God will shed his own glorious light upon you. He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, and goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then, when you call, the Lord will answer. "Yes, I am here," he will quickly reply...
And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you will all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an everflowing spring. --Isaiah 58:7-9, 11 TLB
It is not my ability but my response to God's ability that counts. --Corrie ten Boom
You can give without love, but you cannot love without giving. --Amy Carmichael
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. --Matthew 5:2 MSG
Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune. --William James
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