Faith in times of Crisis

BY DR J P HUNTER

Psalm 90:1-2, 4, 10,12-17. New International Version (NIV) - A prayer of Moses the man of God.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendour to their children. May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

Meditation 

Moses is the author of this Psalm, making this the oldest of all Psalms. At the beginning of a new year, Moses reminds us that a thousand years are like a day to God. God exists outside of time, is not limited by time like we are and does not have our limitations. God is completely unrestricted by time, is eternal, therefore we can depend on him for this day and the whole year to come, never mind lockdown.

Realising that our time is limited, helps us to use that time more wisely and for eternal good, that is by serving Him. What small step could I take this day, this week, towards that purpose? Is it to sing a heartfelt hymn of praise, is it to read from His Word, is it to pray for those in need and for myself? Will it be a phone call to a friend, or a note or e mail of thanks or affection? Will it be to say Thank You to God?

Prayer

Lord, at he beginning of this new year, I thank you for guiding me and my family through the year gone by. I pray that you as my eternal Father, unrestricted by time, will also guide me through the year to come. Even if this new year starts with a lockdown, a mere stormy blast to You. And as this dark winter will have gone, we will see light again, like as a rising sun, as we will be able to embrace our loved ones once again. Until that day arrives, with your help, I will do what I can to praise and Thank You. Amen.

Singing the Faith, Hymn 132, verse 1,4

O God, our help in ages past                          

Our hope for years to come                              

Our shelter from the stormy blast                  

And our eternal home                                       

A Thousand ages in thy sight

Are like an evening gone,

Short as the watch that ends the night

Before the rising sun.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748).