Psalm 90:1-12 - Praying Through Life's Struggles Lesson 5 Series

A. YOUR TIME ON EARTH: PSALM 90:1-12, 17

“I, the LORD, have been your dwelling place throughout all generations. Before I created the mountains, even before I created the earth, even from everlasting to everlasting, I am God. I determined that all people will die, I decreed that you would all return to dust. A thousand years in My sight is but yesterday that is gone; it’s just a watch in the night. I carry away your years like a flood, your life is like sleep after you awake. Your life is like grass that springs up in the morning, you grow throughout the day; in the evening you are cut down, then you wither and die. My anger can consume you; My wrath brings you trouble. I see all of your disobediences; I shine My light on your secret sins. When I am angry with you, your life passes away quickly. Your simple life does not amount to much, like a tale that someone tells. You live approximately three score and ten years; some reach the golden age of four score years. But they have physical difficulties and pain, then their life is cut off and they fly away. No one knows when I am angry at them, so you must always trust Me in fear. So, I will teach you to make each day count, so that you can live wisely. I–the Lord God–will shine My beauty upon you, I will establish the work of your hands, yes, the work of your hands I will establish” (Psalm 90:1-12, 17, ELT).

1. Moses writes because Israel rebelled against God at Kadesh-Barna, so they were punished to wander in the wilderness till all died.

a. Picture of your rebellion in sin.

b. Picture of your desert struggle.

c. Explains your gains and weakness.

d. Exhorts to use your existing time wisely.

2. Definition of stewardship: wisely managing your time, talent, and treasures for God’s glory.

B. LEARN LESSONS FROM PSALM 90

1. Only God is timeless. “From everlasting to everlasting, I am God” (v. 2).

2. You see your picture, i.e., the big picture. “A thousand years in Your sight is but yesterday that is gone” (v. 4).

3. Everything that lives must die. “Your life is like grass that springs up in the morning . . . grows throughout the day . . . in the evening . . . withered, dies” (vv. 5-6).

4. God knows your mistakes and sins. “I see all your disobedience . . . your secret sins” (v. 8).

5. The average life is 70 years if no accidents or illness, the next years “physical difficulties and pain” (v. 10).

6. As a result, “make each day count so you can live wisely” (v. 12).

a. Make your time count, i.e., give your best.

b. Count means make priorities.

c. Anticipate, “fly away” (v. 10).

d. Get ready as a child numbers the days to Christmas.

e. Change your lifestyle.

C. A PARABLE OF YOUR LIFE

1. You wander in the desert of life.

a. Like grass you are here, then gone. Life is a desert:

? Horizons everywhere, but no direction.

? Stray back and forth.

? More dangers than beauty.

? Little life support.

? Eventually will kill you.

b. If God does not rescue, you are lost.

2. You are punished for your rebellion.

a. Israel refused the land or “milk and honey” because of unbelief and rejection.

b. Nothing good in life comes without a struggle.

? You struggle against your lack of discipline.

? You struggle against an evil world system.

? You struggle against your ego and pride.

c. How does sin get to you?

? You are born in sin – Psalm 51:3

? You have a sin nature – 1 John 1:8

? Sin is imputed to you – Romans 5:12

? You do acts of sin – Romans 3:23

3. Our life is an unfolding parable.

a. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, and today is a gift.

b. Everyone has the same amount of time for today.

c. The best use of your time leads to the best life.

d. Your life/time comes from God, you must manage it for Him.

I Have A Plan For Your Life!

e. You can buy your future. “Use your time wisely, because these are evil days” (Ephesians 5:16).

? Use your mind to plan your future.

? Develop discipline to control your desires.

? Live by a plan and purpose.

? When you say yes to God’s plan, you say no to other plans.

f. Because of sin you don’t have forever on this earth.

g. Every day outside God’s plan makes it harder to catch up.

h. When you lose time, you never get it back.