Only Favour
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At the time Moses gave the speech in Deuteronomy 31:1-8, quoted in yesterday’s devotional entitled “Before You, and With You,” he was starkly aware of the turbulent relationship the Israelites had with God and the fact that God swore they would not enter the promised land (Numbers 14:20-36). This awareness, together with the fact that God could have easily wiped them off the surface of the earth, but tempered justice with mercy; and the realization that the Israelites needed to embrace the covenant and live in faith with God in order to accomplish their mission for God, led to the lamentation in Psalm 90. It is a 17 verse prayer, and beneficial when read prayerfully. This is what it says:
Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You return man to dust
and say, “Return, O children of man!”
For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.
You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
For all our days pass away under your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
Who considers the power of your anger,
and your wrath according to the fear of you?
So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!
(Psalm 90 ESV)
Basically, Moses was telling God,
“We know You have always been there for us. But we messed up big time, and we cannot stand your wrath if you decide to hold us to our actions. We are grateful that your mercy overturned your justice; and now we are pleading that you return to us, revive us, and work through us once more.”
The victories God gave Israel in the promised land, and their victories till this day; show that this prayer worked.
This is a prayer we should also pray as individuals, and as those that constitute the church today.
As we count down to the commemoration of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, we need God’s favour to revive us, and re-establish the works of our hands, and give us victory in Him; and all that we do, according to His will.
MEMORY VERSE
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
(Psalm 90:17 )
QUESTIONS
Do you fear God’s wrath because of how you failed Him in the past, making it difficult to believe He can help you?
Do you know that His mercy surpasses His judgment, that He is willing to work with us once more?
PRAYER TIP
Father, we do not measure
up to Your standards, and Holiness.
It is only favour
that can make You look on us
and work with us.
We ask for Your favour
today, Lord.
TODAY IN HISTORY
After Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, events were recorded for each day leading to His death and resurrection. The week is referred to as Passion Week, or Holy Week.
In “Today in History” we go on that journey with Jesus, stating what happened on each day, and the scriptural references.
Please come on the journey with us.
HOLY MONDAY
On the Monday following his triumphant entry, Jesus:
- Cursed the fig tree ( Matthew 21:18-22)
- Cleansed the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48)
- Responded to critics who questioned His authority ( Matthew 21: 23-27)
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
Then develop your new relationship with God through your Quiet Time.
Then find a Bible-Believing Church where you can Fellowship with like minded people.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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