Fighting The Dry Times Series

Introduction

Psalm 90 stands out as a piece of spiritual poetry, distinct in its meditation on the human condition in relation to God’s eternity. Traditionally attributed to Moses, making it the oldest in the Psalter, this psalm offers a contemplative look at God’s infinity contrasted with human transience. It serves as a prayer for wisdom and mercy in the fleeting human life. Structure and Themes

Verses 1-2: God’s Eternity

The psalm opens by affirming God as a dwelling place throughout all generations, emphasizing His eternal nature. The imagery of God as both refuge and creator establishes a foundational contrast with the transient nature of human life.

Verses 3-6: Human Frailty

These verses vividly describe the brevity and fragility of human life. Humans are returned to dust, their lives are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning but fades by evening. This metaphorical language highlights the ephemeral quality of human existence when measured against divine timelessness.

Verses 7-11: Divine Wrath and Human Sin

The middle section of the psalm shifts focus to the reasons for human suffering and brevity of life, primarily sin and divine wrath. The intensity of God’s anger against sin is juxtaposed with human ignorance of their own frailty. A key verse, verse 10, quantifies human life as seventy or eighty years, filled with toil and trouble, illustrating the hardship that accompanies human existence.

Verses 12-17: A Prayer for Wisdom and Favor

The final section shifts from contemplation to supplication. Moses prays for wisdom to understand and number the fleeting days rightly, so that the people might gain a heart of wisdom. There’s a plea for God to have compassion, to reveal His deeds and glory, and to bless His people’s endeavors. The psalm closes with a yearning for the gracious favor of the Lord our God to be upon the work of human hands, a prayer that echoes through the ages for all who labor and seek divine blessing.

I. Interpretation and Application

The Transcience vs. Eternity Dichotomy

Psalm 90 challenges the reader to confront their mortality and the transience of life on earth. This realization is meant to foster a greater dependence on God, whose eternal nature provides stability and refuge against life's impermanence.

Human Suffering and Divine Displeasure

The acknowledgment of divine wrath as a response to sin presents a theological assertion that human suffering is not meaningless but has moral and spiritual dimensions. This awareness should lead to a repentant heart and a reorientation towards Godly living.

Wisdom in Numbering Our Days

Perhaps one of the most poignant prayers of the psalm is the request to "number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom." This suggests that a conscious awareness of our mortality can lead us to live more meaningfully, prioritizing what is eternally significant over temporary desires.

Divine Favor on Human Efforts

The closing verses reflect a deep desire for the enduring impact of one’s life and work. This plea for God to establish the work of our hands resonates with anyone who strives to make their short life count for something lasting.

Psalm 90 is a meditation on the human condition, highlighting our fragility and the brevity of our life in light of God's eternal nature. It offers a sobering reminder of our need for God’s wisdom and mercy, encouraging a life lived with eternal perspectives in mind. By reflecting on this psalm, believers are invited to cultivate a deeper appreciation for each day granted by God, to live wisely and righteously, and to seek the eternal significance in their earthly endeavors.

II. Living Through Spiritually Dry Seasons: Biblical Insights and Guidance

Spiritual dryness, or the sensation of being distanced from God’s presence, is a common experience in the life of a believer. Such periods are characterized by a lack of spiritual fervor, difficulty in prayer, and a sense of emptiness when engaging with Scripture or worship. These moments can be distressing, but they are not unique to modern believers alone. The Bible is replete with stories and psalms that reflect the struggles of those who have walked through their own spiritual deserts.

One of the most vivid descriptions of spiritual dryness in the Bible is found in Psalm 42, where the psalmist poetically voices his profound thirst for God: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" (Psalm 42:1-2). The imagery of panting after water powerfully expresses the psalmist’s intense longing for God amidst spiritual dryness. This Psalm reassures us that feeling distant from God is part of the human experience and encourages believers to earnestly seek Him despite the seeming absence.

Another biblical figure who experienced a spiritual drought was Elijah. After his remarkable victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled into the wilderness under the threat of Queen Jezebel. Alone and despondent, he wished for death, saying, "I have had enough, Lord," (1 Kings 19:4). Yet, it was in this moment of utter depletion that God met Elijah not in dramatic displays of power but in a gentle whisper. This narrative teaches that God’s presence is not confined to feelings of spiritual exuberance but is also profoundly near in the quiet, unremarkable moments of our desolation.