From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Jan 30, 2024 at 5:51 AM

Subject: 1-30-24 THOUGHTS

1-30-24   THOUGHTS

Google says the average lifespan of the American male is 77.28 years.  Lord willing, I will be 77 in a couple of months.  Our reading this morning is said to be from Moses. His job in life was to lead Israel to the promised land.  If this was written in the wilderness time, he is not doing so well.  His petition in verses 15-17 makes sense in this context.  Our finite nature has all kinds of implications for our behavior on this earth. Verse 12...  “ So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”   Matt 16:26,  Jesus is speaking,  "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  Israel gained physical freedom, only to grumble the promise away, I hope we are doing better?  2Thes 1:11-12   To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12  so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ps 90:1-17  « A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. »   Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.  2  Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.  3  You turn man back into dust And say, "Return, O children of men." 4  For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or as a watch in the night. 5  You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew. 6  In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew; Toward evening it fades and withers away. 7 For we have been consumed by Your anger And by Your wrath we have been dismayed. 8  You have placed our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your presence. 9  For all our days have declined in Your fury; We have finished our years like a sigh. 10  As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away. 11  Who understands the power of Your anger And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You? 12  So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. 13  Do return, O LORD; how long will it be? And be sorry for Your servants.  14  O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15  Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us, And the years we have seen evil. 16  Let Your work appear to Your servants And Your majesty to their children.  17  Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.

My Prayer:
O Lord God, teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.  Give us a perception of urgency as our lives pass by.  May the sense of the good  news of Jesus occupy our hearts and minds and lives. May we sing this “good news song”,  powerfully in view of eternity.   

In the name of our Savior,    Amen.