You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.1
Indeed life is fleeting. It is likened to a watch in the night. Historically, guards were positioned at watch towers with three shifts through the night; e.g., 4 hours per shift. Without understanding our purpose, life becomes vanity of vanities.2
The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.3 Death is a reality that many would rather ignore.
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.4 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.5 It is through knowledge of God that we gain insight; we learn to revere him6 and love him.7
Scriptures were written about Jesus—the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms; through him our minds are open to understand them.8 We are called for a purpose.9
We are ambassadors for Christ; God makes his appeal through us.10 Knowing the fear of God, we persuade others.11 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.12
We have not ceased to pray for you , asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.13
Pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints., and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to the working of his great might . . .14
Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!15
Notes:
1. Psalm 90:3-6
2. Ecclesiastes 1:2-4
3. Psalm 90:10
4. Psalm 90:12
5. Proverbs 30:3
6. Proverbs 9:10
7. Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:29-30
8. Luke 24:44-49
9. Romans 8:28
10. 2 Corinthian 5:20
11. 2 Corinthains 5:11
12. 1 Corinthains 4:1-2
13. Colossians 1:9-10
14. Ephesians 1:16-23
15. Psalm 90:13-17
