Week Three - Day Five: Considering The Character of God

We have looked at five clues that point toward God’s existence. I hope that exercise inspired us to feel more confident as we approach Him. And I hope that that exercise has stoked the fire within us. Now, let’s begin filling out our understanding of God. Let’s use the song of Moses found in Psalm 90 as a starting place. Most commentators believe that this psalm was written during a time when God was upset with the people of Israel (such as that described in Numbers 14).

Read Psalm 90. Use the questions below to help you contemplate the truths of the first 12 verses.

(1) Lord, you have been our dwelling place
      throughout all generations.

(2) Before the mountains were born
      or you brought forth the earth and the world,
      from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

(3) You turn men back to dust,
      saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

(4) For a thousand years in your sight
      are like a day that has just gone by,
      or like a watch in the night.

(5) You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
      they are like the new grass of the morning-

(6) though in the morning it springs up new,
      by evening it is dry and withered.

(7) We are consumed by your anger
      and terrified by your indignation.

(8) You have set our iniquities before you,
      our secret sins in the light of your presence.

(9) All our days pass away under your wrath;
      we finish our years with a moan.

(10) The length of our days is seventy years—
      or eighty, if we have the strength;
      yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
      for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

(11) Who knows the power of your anger?
      For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

(12) Teach us to number our days aright,
      that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

(13) Relent, O LORD! How long will it be?
      Have compassion on your servants.

(14) Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
      that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

(15) Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
      for as many years as we have seen trouble.

(16) May your deeds be shown to your servants,
      your splendor to their children.

(17) May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
      establish the work of our hands for us—
      yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90

• What is the theme of verses 1 and 2?
  • Think back to the clues we gave to the existence of God. It’s interesting that this psalm alludes to some of those same ideas in poetic language. For a minute, try to identify lyrical allusions to our clues. Especially look for a suggestion of “the presence of something” and “our finely-tuned universe.”
• Verses 3 through 10 speak of the frailty of human beings.
  • How is God involved in that frailty?
  • How does the Psalmist describe God’s relationship to time?
  • What is our relationship to time?
  • Clearly the Psalmist is feeling especially frail in this song. Why? What do you suppose has happened?
  • According to the Psalmist, what happens to our “secret” sins?
• This Psalm is especially hard – even caustic – for those of us who are more prone to feeling guilt.
• How do you explain this Psalm in light of what Psalm 30:4-5 says?

  (4) Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
        praise his holy name.

  (5) For his anger lasts only a moment,
        but his favor lasts a lifetime;
        weeping may remain for a night,
        but rejoicing comes in the morning.

  Psalm 30:4-5

  • How does that make you feel?
  • Do you think there is a relationship between our frailty and God’s anger?
• The application point for us may be that verses 1 through 11 leads us to verse 12. How does the second phrase in verse 12 relate to the first phrase?
• List for yourself three or four characteristics of God which are made plain by this psalm.
• Are there aspects to this picture of God that make you uncomfortable?

Before You Start Your Day

1. Use verses 13 through 17 as a basis for your own prayer this morning. Read a verse and then pray the idea of that verse back to God.
2. Be determined to look for God’s “deeds” around you today. You will have to be determined because they often get lost in the crush of the day otherwise.
3. Also be mindful of his “favor” for you.