#13 2016 Devotional Psalm 90:17. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Psalm 90:17
May the favor[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
The Psalm 90 begins book 4 and is part of a section of 11 Psalms that begin with a prayer that end with the praise of Psalm 100. Psalm 90 is a prayer of praise and intercessory prayer, the prayer begins praising God for His everlasting faithfulness; He is our refuge, our hiding place, the only place we run to for protection. God is also a just God holding his people to account. Moses, the author, experienced that many times during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. You, O Lord “have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence”. Moses interceded for the people on numerous occasions and he does so in this Psalm asking for compassion and mercy. Moses here is a type of Christ “relent, O Lord how long will it be?” reminding God of His splendor and unfailing love. At one-point in Moses’ time God repented of choosing the Israelites and had decided to destroy them but Moses offered himself instead. (Ex.32:7-14) (see v. 31)
We face God’s wrath as well, our iniquities and secret sins are before the Lord day and night. Praise be to God, Jesus intercedes for us and died in our place so that we may be forgiven when we “call on the name of the Lord” and live!
We turn to the verse we are looking at; it is obviously a benediction (Num.6: 24-26). Moses asks for God’s favor to be upon them, or to go with them and to “establish the work of our hands for us”. Moses makes this personal and also practical. The work of his hands came close to being completely destroyed several times, only God establishes what man kind does. For us today this is a meaningful and important prayer. God establishes our work when done in the name of Jesus. Not many followers of Jesus are missionaries, pastors or evangelists. Therefore, I do mean all work that we do and that is done in Jesus name is work that will last for ever, follow us to heaven and become the building blocks for the New Heaven and the Earth. May God establish the work of our hands!
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