Moses, one of the world's greatest leaders and no doubt the
most famous, often referred to himself as the “servant of God”. He is the best
model of the servant leader in the Bible! Twice in these final verses he also
refers to people of Israel as “Your servants”. A servant is someone who
has no agenda of his own but lives to serve the will and wishes of his master
and to please him. Moses learned to be a great servant in the school of “hard
knocks” of life! He faced difficult challenges all through his 120 years of
life! His prayer in Psalm 90 reflects what and how he learned, not only to
survive the tough times of life, but also to thrive in them!
Yes, life is a difficult school, and God disciplines us if
we fail to learn our lessons and submit to His will, but there is more to the
story. In spite of the "black border" around this psalm, the emphasis
is on life and not death. The past and present experiences of life prepare us
for the future, and all of life prepares us for eternity. This closing prayer
emphasizes God's compassion and unfailing love, His desire to give us joy and
satisfaction, even in the midst of life's troubles, and His ability to make
life count for eternity. When Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord, the future
is your friend.
"Return" in verse 13 carries the idea of "turn
again—turn from your anger and show us the light of your countenance" (Ex.
32:12). In verse 14, Moses may have been referring to the manna that fell each
morning, six days a week, and met the physical needs of the people (Ex.
16:1-21). It was a picture of Jesus Christ, the bread of life. The manna
sustained life for the Jewish people for nearly forty years, but Jesus gives
life to the whole world for all eternity! When we begin the day with the Lord
and feed on His Word (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4), then we walk with Him throughout
the day and enjoy His blessing. The nourishment of the Word enables us to be
faithful pilgrims and successful learners.
There are compensations in life that we may not appreciate
until we enter eternity. Moses prayed that God would give him and his people as
much joy in the future as the sorrow they had experienced in the past. Paul may
have had this in mind when he wrote Romans 8:18 and 2 Corinthians 1:5 and
4:16-18. God promises His children far
more blessing than the burdens they carried! The glory to come far exceeds the
suffering that we bear today. Moses lost his temper and could not enter Canaan
(Num. 20:2-13), but he did get to the Promised Land with Jesus and share God's
glory with Elijah and three of the disciples (Matt. 17:1-8).
Whatever the Lord doesn't compensate for here on earth will
be compensated in heaven (1 Peter 5:10), and this includes our works for Him.
At times, Moses must have felt that his work was futile, temporary, and not
worth doing. Many times the people broke his heart and grieved his spirit. He
sacrificed to serve them and they rarely appreciated him. But no work done for
the Lord will ever go unrewarded, and those who do the will of God abide
forever (1 John 2:17). Even a cup of cold water given in Jesus' name will
receive its reward (Matt. 10:42; 25:31-46). The favor of the Lord does not
desert us in our old age, in times of affliction, or when we come to die, and
the blessings of our work and witness will go on. In verse 13, Moses addressed
God as Jehovah, the God of the covenant who will never break His promises, and
that is the God we love, worship, and serve.
Life is brief, so Moses prayed, "Teach us."
Life is difficult, and he prayed, "Satisfy us." His work at
times seemed futile, so he prayed, "Establish the work of our
hands." God answered those prayers for Moses, and He will answer them
for us. The future is your friend when Jesus is your Savior and Lord.
God bless!
