How can understanding Psalm 90:5 influence our daily priorities? Setting the scene Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses that contrasts God’s eternity with our brief human lives. Verse 5 captures that contrast: “You whisk them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass that springs up in the morning.” (Psalm 90:5) A flash of grass: what the imagery tells us • Life is fragile—“You whisk them away.” We can be gone in an instant. • Life is fleeting—“New grass … in the morning.” Green at sunrise, withered by dusk (v. 6). • God alone holds each breath, so every hour is borrowed time. How this shapes today’s calendar 1. Number your days wisely – Psalm 90:12 asks, “Teach us to number our days.” – James 4:14 echoes, “You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” – Priority shift: treat time as a limited resource, not an endless supply. 2. Invest in eternity, not just the urgent – Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God.” – Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things above.” – Priority shift: give prime slots to worship, Scripture, service, and relationships over mere tasks and screens. 3. Redeem every opportunity – Ephesians 5:15-16: “Pay careful attention … making the most of every opportunity.” – Priority shift: turn routine moments (commute, meals, breaks) into prayer, encouragement, and witness. 4. Hold plans with an open hand – Proverbs 16:9: “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” – Priority shift: plan diligently, but stay flexible to God-given interruptions. Practical next steps • Block first moments of the day for Scripture reading and reflection. • Review your schedule nightly, asking, “Does this reflect eternal values?” • Build margin—leave unscheduled space so you’re available for God’s promptings. • Memorize Psalm 90:12 and recite it when tempted to waste time. • Regularly audit spending and giving to ensure resources advance the gospel. Living the Psalm Grasping the brevity painted in Psalm 90:5 presses us to trade trivial pursuits for eternal ones. Each sunrise is fresh grass; by sundown its chance is gone. Let’s treat every breath as a gift, every task as stewardship, and every relationship as an opportunity to reflect Christ until the day He welcomes us into His timeless presence. |
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