In Psalms 90 In What Ways Can We Seek Gods Mercy And Favor In Our Lives Today?
Seeking God's Mercy and Favor: Insights from Psalm 90
Psalm 90 is a unique and profound psalm, attributed to Moses, that stands as a meditation on the brevity of human life, the seriousness of sin, and the steadfastness of God. In its verses, we find both humility before God’s majesty and a hopeful appeal for His mercy and favor. Let’s explore how Psalm 90 guides us to seek God’s mercy and favor in our lives today.
1. Recognizing Our Frailty and God’s Eternity
The psalm opens by acknowledging God as our eternal dwelling place, contrasted with our fleeting existence:
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. - Psalm 90:1-2 ASV
Seeking God's mercy begins with humility—recognizing our limits and God’s sovereignty. When we acknowledge our dependence on Him, we open our hearts to His mercy. This humility is echoed in the New Testament:
God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. - James 4:6 ASV
2. Confession of Sin and Seeking Forgiveness
Moses writes of God's anger towards sin and the reality of judgment:
Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, Our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. - Psalm 90:8 ASV
We seek God’s mercy by honestly confessing our sins and turning to Him for forgiveness. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9 ASV
3. Praying for Wisdom and a Heart of Obedience
In the midst of life’s brevity, the psalmist asks for wisdom:
So teach us to number our days, That we may get us a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:12 ASV
Seeking God’s favor involves pursuing His wisdom—living each day with purpose and a desire to honor Him. This echoes the call to walk wisely in the New Testament:
Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:15 ASV
4. Requesting God’s Compassion and Joy
The psalmist pleads for God’s compassion and restoration of joy:
O satisfy us in the morning with thy lovingkindness, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days. - Psalm 90:14 ASV
God’s mercy is not only about forgiveness but also about experiencing His steadfast love. We can boldly approach God, trusting in His lovingkindness through Christ:
Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16 ASV
5. Asking for God’s Blessing on Our Work
The psalm concludes with a prayer for God to establish the work of our hands:
And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And establish thou the work of our hands upon us; Yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. - Psalm 90:17 ASV
Seeking God’s favor means inviting Him into every aspect of our lives, including our daily work, trusting Him to bring lasting fruit and meaning.
Living Out Psalm 90 Today
In summary, Psalm 90 teaches us to seek God’s mercy and favor by:
- Humbly acknowledging our need for Him
- Confessing our sins and seeking forgiveness through Christ
- Pursuing wisdom and living purposefully
- Resting in God’s steadfast love and seeking His joy
- Entrusting our daily work and all of life to His hands