Psalm 90:14-15 ****UPDATED****

Psalm 90:14-15 14 Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days! 15 Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, the years in which we have seen evil.

What does it mean to be satisfied? You should know by now that if I ask a question like that I’m about to give you a definition :) - here’s the one from Encarta:

1. make somebody feel content: to do or offer enough to make somebody feel pleased or content
2. fulfill need: to fulfill a need or gratify a desire
3. resolve doubts: to convince somebody by resolving questions or doubts
4. be good enough to meet condition: to achieve or be of sufficient standard to meet a requirement or condition
5. MATHEMATHICS solve mathematical problem: to make both sides of an equation equal by finding the quantities of the unknown variables
6. LAW pay debt: to pay a debt in full
7. compensate somebody: to compensate somebody for an injury or loss

That’s a lot for one word too mean, that being said God fulfills each one of Encarta’s definitions.

Definition 1 – contentment. Look at the apostle Paul’s words from Phillipians 4:

11…for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Paul did not live a life of luxury. His physical life was hard and yet he was able to say that He found contentment in Christ. Not only that but he found that the strength that he needed to live this life was given to Him by God himself. When we have God we come to understand that He is enough.

Definition 2 - need fulfillment. That is what God is ultimately about! Go and read Matthew 6:25-34. In these verses Jesus explains to us that God is aware of our everyday needs. My pastor use to tell me that is part of what God was trying to convey to Moses when he asked what God’s name was. In your good old King James the reply from God was “I AM THAT I AM”. In essence God was telling Moses – “You tell the people that I AM whatever it is that they require. If they need a savior – I AM that. If they need a protector – I AM that. If they need a deliverer – I AM that, if they need a provider – I AM that. Whatever it is that they need – I AM that.” You Hebrew scholars out there are going to correct me and tell me that this verse probably refers more to God’s eternal state and I won’t argue that fact. However, I would also argue that whatever it is that we require in this life, if we turn to God and ask Him if He is what we need the reply would be “I AM”.

Definition 3 - resolve doubts. Are you worried? Turn to God. Do you need comfort? Turn to God. He is completely truthful. His words always come to pass. If you have a question simply ask Him but be ready for the answer. It may not always be what you are prepared to hear.

Definition 4 - sufficient standard. God always provides exactly what we need exactly when we need it. Look back at the events of your life. Which worked out better for you? The plan you came up with to get out of a situation or God’s provision?

Definition 5, 6 & 7 - equality, law and compensation. God is all about equality. Because of our sin there is an “unknown variable” that has separated us from God. He Himself solves the equation with the work of Jesus on the cross. It is in that place that are accounts are made equal. Christ solved our equation! In Christ now we all have an equal share of Heaven. We are adopted into the family of God and are joint heirs with Christ! What a wonderful thought.

Christ now stands as our mediator. The scenes of our final judgment in front of the Father always bring courtroom imagery to my mind. We have our accuser laying out all of our sins before us to which we can only hang our head and reply “guilty”. But we have this wonderful mediator in Christ who says to the Holy Judge. “True, but I have paid that one’s debt and now no one can lay a charge against him. He also stands in the breach for us daily as we lift prayers up to the Father (see Romans 8)

God is pretty awesome! He completely satisfies us if we will just seek Him. Why do we waste time chasing the things of this world? They all pass, the recent stock market roller coaster should be enough of an example for us. Look at what Jesus says about looking for satisfaction in the things of this world

Matthew 6:19-21 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 16:26 “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

The things of this world will always let us down. God knows that we will only ultimately find happiness and contentment in Him. Which brings us to Psalm 90:15 – Moses is asking God to restore their joy so that they can spend as much time with Him in gladness as they did in sorrow for their sin.

That’s a nice thought, isn’t it? Asking God to give them as many blessed years as they had years of judgment.
I hope that the majority of the years that I have left to serve Him on earth are spent walking in fellowship. But even if I have to endure a season of judgment for my sin I know that I have all eternity to spend with Him glorifying His name. I like that thought better.

My prayer for us today is that we will stop looking at the things of this world to satisfy us. Let us instead look to God.

Grace and peace to you all…

****UPDATED 10/14****

I was asked if Moses was being selfish in asking for judgment from God to be lifted. I beleive the answer to that question lies entirely in his motive for asking. If he was asking simply so that judgment would be removed then I would say "yes". I do not believe that this is his motive. Moses understood that to be out of fellowship with God is far worse than any judgment that can be poured out. He wants the relationship to be restored and not simply the removal of judgment.

All the penitent wants is for the Father to look upon Him with forgiveness and mercy because he cannot bear to see God upset with him over sin. It is not simply the judgment that the penitent wants removed, he wants the lover of his soul to find him pleasing again. It is in that sense that I believe Moses is asking and I would not consider him selfish at all.

Isn't it wonderful to know that Christ always stands in the breach for us and when the Father looks upon us He sees His own righteousness reflected back through the blood of Jesus? Praise God for the Son!!!