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1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were

brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting

you are God. 3 You tum us back to dust, and say, "Tum back, you mortals." 4 For a thousand

years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night. 5 You sweep

them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; 6 in the morning it

flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. 7 For we are consumed by your

anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed. 8 You have set our inequities before you, our secret

sins in the light of your countenance.

 

Scholars are in agreement that this Psalm is attributed to Moses and he begins this prayer by

acknowledging that God is Our eternal refuge. This was especially meaningful for Moses

and the Israelites who were nomads wandering in the wilderness without a permanent

home. This prayer is the basis for one of my favorite songs we sing "From everlasting to

everlasting" which reminds us that God has no beginning or end.

 

Moses goes on to contrast the eternal, unchanging nature of God with the short, fragility of

the life of humans. In other words he Contrasts God's permanence and the brevity of

human life. We have heard many times that God's time is very different from our time and

this Psalm connotes the divine permanence of God and the quick passing of human life.

Interesting as we age how we look at time. When we are young children, we think in terms of

the present time. We don't have an understanding of yesterday or tomorrow. We are also

impatient and can't wait for our birthdays and other holidays, but don't have a sense of how

long that wait might be. It feels like it is forever. On the other end of life how many times have

we said, "Where does the time go?"

 

So, while Moses is offering this prayer of praise, he is also looking at the reality of human life

and resting in the knowledge that God is our refuge for all eternity. From everlasting to

everlasting!!!!

 

Everlasting Lord, We join with Moses in the comfort of knowing you have been with us from

the beginning and provide refuge through YOUR eternal time.

 

Sharon Rhodes

sharonrhodes76@hotmail.com

 

Prayer Concern: For those who are mourning the loss of loved Ones.

Additional scriptures: Revelation 16:8-21, Ezekiel 7:1-9