God our Dwelling in the Face of Terrorism

1Lord, you have been our dwelling place

throughout all generations.

2Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the whole world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3You turn people back to dust,

saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”

4A thousand years in your sight

are like a day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.

5Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—

they are like the new grass of the morning:

6In the morning it springs up new,

but by evening it is dry and withered.

7We are consumed by your anger

and terrified by your indignation.

8You have set our iniquities before you,

our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9All our days pass away under your wrath;

we finish our years with a moan.  (Psalm 90)

Thoughts: In the face of terrible, wrathful, horrible attacks that shatter our security and peace, it is important to know where our refuge is.  God is our dwelling place- our shelter in every generation.  In the past our ancestors found God to be a shelter and help, and we should still find our hope in Him.  He is the eternal hope even in the face of terrorism.  This life doesn't last forever.  But God is there for all of us.  

Prayer: Lord, be with the people of Paris.  Also be with us.  May we look to you to be our security and strength.  

4/9/13- Limited

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    throughout all generations.
² Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.You turn people back to dust,    saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”

⁴ A thousand years in your sight
    are like a day that has just gone by,
    or like a watch in the night.
⁵ Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
    they are like the new grass of the morning:
 In the morning it springs up new,
    but by evening it is dry and withered.

⁹ All our days pass away under your wrath;
    we finish our years with a moan.

¹⁰ Our days may come to seventy years,
    or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

¹² Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Thoughts: Yesterday "The Iron Lady" died- Margaret Thatcher at 87.  Yesterday Annette Funicello, the Baby Boomer Boy's Idol, died at 70.  Two unusually strong women.  Thatcher had alzheimers.  Funicello had multiple sclerosis.  Verse 9 comes to bear- "we finish our years with a moan."  Death is a reminder that the smartest, the best politicians, the  prettiest and strongest among us are limited.  In fact the word "wrath" is used a couple of times in this Psalm regarding death.  In this sense wrath is not specific anger at one particular thing, but God's limiting us because of our sin.  
    There was an old Greek Myth about a goddess who wanted to marry a handsome mortal.  Her wish was granted but the man got older and older whereas she did not.  Eventually the man withered into a grasshopper.  God does not wish for sin to live forever- so he limits our bodies in order that we might be redeemed.  We have a chance- usually 70 or 80 years to get our lives straight with Him.  He does not want our pain- our alzheimers or MS or whatever to continue forever either (and usually we don't either).  Human pride and accomplishments are limited as well.
     So, teach us to number our days and get wisdom.  This life is a gift- each second is a blessing.  We would be wise to look to our Creator while He gives us the chance to do so.  

Prayer: God grant me wisdom to use my time well.  Give me grace to love stronger, live better, and listen to what you tell me in your providence.