Psalm 90

I was reading Psalm 90 the other day for devotions and I was impressed with it's beauty. Moses actually wrote this psalm, right before his death. It has so much understanding behind it's simple yet beautiful lines, but the thing that impressed me most was the fact that he wrote it at all.

The same Moses who begged God to choose another man to speak the words of God to Pharaoh wrote a whole psalm at the end of his life. Moses didn't think he was any good with words, but Psalm 90 is proof that God truly works through men to accomplish great personal accomplishments. 

I could have almost cried because I sensed so much pain accumulated through forty years wandering in a desert, leading a stubborn and rebellious people. Stress and pain Moses bore for forty years as the leader of the Israelites. Yet there was peace, and hope for the future. As if Moses really did feel fulfilled through God's will, and looking back on his life, knew that he had lived it to it's fullest for his Lord. 

For years God used Moses to carry out his plan for the Israelites, and it was at the end of his life that Moses overcame his own personal barrier to write this psalm. Moses had seen God Himself and spoken with Him and for Him, and as a little gift at the end of Moses' life, God granted him words--the very thing that caused Moses' doubt when God first approached him. It just goes to show that God is faithful--always. 

Psalm 90 shows us that Moses really understood God for who He is. And he praised Him, gave him glory, and asked one thing of Him: "make our efforts successful." Let this be our prayer. 

Psalm 90

Lord, through all the 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 a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours. 

You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass the 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 you 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! 

Beautiful

Preface: I wrote this poem in honor of one of my dearest friends. It was a way of encouraging her to keep being the gracious and loving girl she was despite the fact that everyone around her took her wonderful attitude for granted. I wanted to remind her where her worth came from, and to tell her that she was truly one of the most beautiful girls I know, and all because of her shining smile and radiant eyes, both of which displayed a loving heart that glorifies our King.

I pray this will remind us all that it is God who gives us worth, and not this world.

Ev'ry day she walks through of her peaceable life,
She's a blessing of God all wrapped up in disguise.
Though passed by on the streets--her presence is rife--
She's got calm in her smile, and joy in her eyes.

Her big smile is cheerful, it comes from her heart,
Which is full to the brim of this unsurpassed love;
For her love reaches out and it's such a big part
Of the smile that must have been sent from above.

Her clear eyes are so merry and joyful to see,
Forgiving, accepting, shine bright as a star,
Devoid of all filth to reveal purity;
A mirror reflecting a gift from afar.

If a heart should be ever as big as a tree,
It would be such a miracle sent from our Lord.
But He placed in her form a heart bigger than she
And the tree would be dwarfed by the love she outpoured.

Even though she has struggles, just look at her face
And you see that she rests in the hands sacrificed.
Redeemed and accepted, enjoying her place,
Lying broken, made whole, in the arms of our Christ.

She is beautiful, wonderful, complete and whole,
It's a wonder they pass her on by in the streets.
A jewel of the heart and a light to the soul,
They miss out on a girl that each person should meet.

Though unnoticed and often so misunderstood,
She will always be looking to reach up and out.
Her smile will brighten a life for the good,
Without a small line of a frown or a pout.

Her eyes, they continue to shine like the sun,
She's set-apart, holy, forever in love.
Free from the world, free to dance, free to run
To the God in whose arms she is safe up above.

This lover of hers on her face wrote her heart,
It shows in this beautiful, radiant girl.
Her faith is attractive--a wonderful part,
She is one of a kind, a beautiful pearl.