Tuesday, July 12, 2011

If By Reason of Strength We Grow Really Old

Psalm 90:10 is an interesting verse of scripture.  It says, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."  It is interesting, not for what it says by itself, but by what it says in context.  Verse 9 tells us that "...we spend our years as a tale that is told." Most young people never think they will ever grow old.  But the Bible reminds us in  Ecclesiastes 12:1 to "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them..." I just had a birthday.  Now I don't put much stock in birthdays but this last one, on July 6th, was a significant one.  I turned 70. So in a way you could say that I am living on borrowed time. I do not intend to be overly morbid but Psalm 90:12 goes on to say, "...teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." In verse 8 and interspersed in this reading of scripture the Bible tells us that our secret sins are not unknown to God and that all of our days are passed away in God's wrath. Further, we do not know the power of His wrath. So in context we are told that life in this world is temporary and although we may live to a really old old age, yet we should not take life nor the mercy of God for granted.

The Bible says in Hebrews 4:12-13, "the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." Notice that it says there is nothing not manifest in HIS sight, and everything is naked and open to HIM. Who is this His and Him the Bible is speaking of? The Bible says in John 1:1 that "in the beginning... the Word was God," and in verse 14 "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us..." It is speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are reading this blog and have never experienced the love and mercy of the Saviour, or if you have experienced His love and are discouraged in the way, let me encourage you to put your trust in Him.  The Bible says in 1st John 1:8-9 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." There is no sin that can be hidden from God.  And His wrath will attend to every unconfessed sin ever committed. But if you will send your sins "before to judgment," they won't be there to follow you when you stand before "the judgment seat of Christ." (See 1st Timothy 5:24 and 2nd Corinthians 5:10) Don't delay, do it today!




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