Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Teach Us, O Lord” – Thursday, 24 April 2014 - Scripture: Psalm 90:1-12

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Teach Us, O Lord” – Thursday, 24 April 2014 - Scripture: Psalm 90:  A Prayer by Moses, the man of God.[a]

1 Lord,[b] you have been our dwelling place for all generations.

2     Before the mountains were born,

    before you had formed the earth and the world,

    even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

3 You turn man to destruction, saying,

    “Return, you children of men.”

4 For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past,

    like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep them away as they sleep.

    In the morning they sprout like new grass.

6 In the morning it sprouts and springs up.

    By evening, it is withered and dry.

7 For we are consumed in your anger.

    We are troubled in your wrath.

8 You have set our iniquities before you,

    our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 For all our days have passed away in your wrath.

    We bring our years to an end as a sigh.

10 The days of our years are seventy,

    or even by reason of strength eighty years;

    yet their pride is but labor and sorrow,

    for it passes quickly, and we fly away.

11 Who knows the power of your anger,

    your wrath according to the fear that is due to you?

12 So teach us to number our days,

    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 90:1 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

b. Psalm 90:1 The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”

“Teach Us, O Lord” by Duane C. Brush

It was one of my most difficult funerals. I barely knew the deceased. I had spoken at funerals for two of his brothers. None of them regularly attended my church: Charlie never.

Charlie was a drunk. He died at 42 from complications brought on by his addiction. He was far more comfortable on a bar stool than a church pew.

The day of the service I stood in the crowded funeral chapel. The air was cloudy with smoke from the cigarettes of mourners whose nerves and addiction could not break for even this solemn occasion. Many were red faced and bleary eyed, having fortified themselves with several drinks before the funeral.

God led me to share the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). I described the father waiting patiently for his son’s return. Unplanned, I said, “Sometimes the Father waits and the son doesn’t return.” My heart broke and tears flowed, “However, for those who will, the Father waits with a ring, a robe, and restored relationship.”

I stood by Charlie’s casket as the mourners passed. Some caught my eye and nodded, others shook my hand and thanked me, and others hugged me and wept. “O Lord,” I prayed, “Teach us to number our days.”

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Hymn for Today:

“The Love of God” by Frederick M. Lehman

1. The love of God is greater far

  Than tongue or pen can ever tell.

It goes beyond the highest star

  And reaches to the lowest hell.

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

  God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled

  And pardoned from his sin.

Chorus: O love of God, how rich and pure!

  How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure—

    The saints’ and angels’ song.

2.When hoary time shall pass away,

  And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall;

When men who here refuse to pray,

  On rocks and hills and mountains call;

God’s love, so sure, shall still endure,

  All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—

  The saints’ and angels’ song.

Chorus: O love of God, how rich and pure!

  How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure—

    The saints’ and angels’ song.

3. Could we with ink the ocean fill,

  And were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

  And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

  Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

  Though stretched from sky to sky.

Chorus: O love of God, how rich and pure!

  How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure—

    The saints’ and angels’ song.

Thought for Today:

“The wrath of God alerts people to the deprivation sin brings, but His profound love draws them to himself” (Jim Edlin and Janelle MacKay).

Prayer Needs:

Many people in Bolivia will come to know Jesus the Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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