Journey Through the Psalms Part IX
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor John’s sermon from August 3, 2025
Let’s Break it Down
Psalm 90, the only psalm written by Moses, offers profound wisdom about finding peace in God's presence. Moses describes God as our 'dwelling place' - a constant refuge in an ever-changing world. He reminds us of our mortality, encouraging us to 'number our days' so we might live with greater wisdom and purpose. The psalm teaches us to release control to God, forgive others, and prioritize experiencing the 'beauty of the Lord' - the delightfulness of His presence. Like Moses who refused to move forward without God's presence, we too should make dwelling with God our highest priority.
Key Takeaways
God is eternal and sovereign, existing before creation and outlasting all things in the world.
We should ask God to teach us to number our days so we can gain wisdom and make our limited time count.
Holding grudges and refusing to forgive keeps us in bondage; letting go brings freedom.
Like Moses and David, we should value God's presence above everything else in our lives.
God doesn't ask us to do things without empowering us to accomplish them through His grace.
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Day 1:Our Eternal Dwelling Place
Devotional: In a world of constant change, we often search for stability. Our homes, jobs, relationships - all can shift unexpectedly. Yet Moses, who spent forty years wandering in the wilderness without a permanent address, discovered something profound: God Himself is our true dwelling place. Moses begins Psalm 90 with this powerful declaration: "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations." Before mountains existed, before the earth was formed, God was there. And He will remain long after everything we know has passed away. This isn't just poetic language. Moses is revealing a life-changing truth: we can make our home in God's presence. No matter where life takes us, no matter what changes occur around us, God offers Himself as our refuge, our sanctuary, our dwelling place. When we truly grasp this reality, it transforms how we navigate life's uncertainties. Instead of frantically seeking security in things that will inevitably change, we can rest in the One who remains constant. Our circumstances may shift, but our dwelling place - God Himself - never changes.
Bible Verse
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." - Psalm 90:1-2
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life are you seeking stability in temporary things rather than making God your dwelling place?
Quote "Lord, you've been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God."
Prayer
Eternal God, thank You for being my unchanging dwelling place in a world of constant change. Help me to find my security, my identity, and my peace in You alone. When everything around me shifts, remind me that You remain the same yesterday, today, and forever. Teach me to make my home in Your presence. Amen.
Day 2:Numbering Our Days
Devotional: Time is perhaps our most precious resource, yet we often live as if our days are unlimited. Moses offers a sobering perspective in Psalm 90, comparing our lives to "a flood that quickly passes, sleep that ends with morning, and grass that flourishes briefly before withering." This isn't meant to depress us but to awaken us to wisdom. When we truly understand life's brevity, we approach each day with greater intentionality. We stop postponing important conversations. We prioritize relationships over possessions. We make decisions based on eternal values rather than temporary pleasures. Moses prays, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." This isn't about obsessing over death but about living purposefully. It's about recognizing that each day is a gift with limited supply. Wisdom comes when we view our time through God's eternal perspective. We begin asking different questions: How can I invest today for eternal impact? What matters most in light of eternity? How can I use this fleeting life to honor the God who gave it to me?
Bible Verse
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." - Proverbs 9:10
Reflection Question
If you truly believed you had limited time on earth, what would you do differently today?
Quote "Wisdom not only fears the Lord, but causes us to number our days. Wisdom would say, I need to make good on this life that God's given me. I need to make good on this breath that God has given me."
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of today. Help me to number my days wisely, recognizing that each moment is precious and irreplaceable. Give me the courage to live intentionally, investing my time in what truly matters. May I use this life You've given me to honor You and serve others. Amen.
Day 3:Releasing Control
Devotional: One of the greatest barriers to experiencing God's presence is our reluctance to relinquish control. Like Moses at the burning bush, we often make excuses when God calls us to step out in faith. "I'm not qualified." "What if I fail?" "Someone else would do it better." Behind these excuses lies a fundamental misunderstanding. We think life makes more sense when we're in control. But true wisdom recognizes that our perspective is limited, our strength is insufficient, and our understanding is incomplete. God doesn't ask us to understand everything; He asks us to trust Him. He doesn't demand that we have all the answers; He invites us to follow His leading. As we surrender control, we discover a paradoxical truth: we find freedom not in asserting our independence but in acknowledging our dependence on God. The journey of faith often begins with letting go. Letting go of our need to understand everything. Letting go of our insistence on doing things our way. Letting go of the illusion that we're in control. As we release our grip, we open our hands to receive what God wants to give us.
Bible Verse
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1
Reflection Question
What area of your life are you struggling to surrender to God's control, and what might be holding you back from fully trusting Him?
Quote "God's not trying to make sense to you. He's trying to lead you so that life makes sense."
Prayer
Lord, I confess my tendency to cling to control. Help me to open my hands and surrender my plans, my fears, and my future to You. I acknowledge that Your ways are higher than mine, and Your wisdom surpasses my understanding. Give me the courage to follow where You lead, even when I don't understand. Amen.
Day 4:The Healing Power of Forgiveness
Devotional: One of the heaviest burdens we carry is unforgiveness. Grudges weigh us down, consume our thoughts, and separate us from God's presence. Yet we often justify holding onto them, convincing ourselves that our anger is righteous or that some offenses are simply unforgivable. Moses understood the destructive power of bitterness. In Psalm 90, he prays for God to "satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." This satisfaction and joy cannot coexist with unforgiveness. Forgiveness doesn't mean excusing wrong behavior or pretending we weren't hurt. It means releasing our right to punish others, leaving justice in God's hands. It means choosing freedom over the prison of bitterness. When we forgive, we're not primarily doing something for others—we're doing something for ourselves. We're removing the poison of resentment from our own hearts. We're opening ourselves to healing. As James 5:16 reminds us, we forgive "so that you may be healed." Our willingness to forgive others directly impacts our own spiritual and emotional health.
Bible Verse
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - James 5:16
Reflection Question
What grudge or resentment might you need to release today, and how might holding onto it be affecting your relationship with God and others?
Quote "Scripture says in James 5:16, forgive one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. So that you may be healed."
Prayer
Merciful God, I confess that I've been holding onto hurts and resentments that You're asking me to release. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me. Free me from the burden of bitterness and fill that space with Your peace and love. Remind me that forgiveness is a choice I make with Your help, not based on my feelings. Thank You for the healing that comes through forgiveness. Amen.
Day 5:The Non-Negotiable Presence
Devotional: Moses experienced God's presence in extraordinary ways—through a burning bush, a pillar of fire, and face-to-face conversations. Yet his most profound statement about God's presence came in Exodus 33:15: "If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." For Moses, God's presence wasn't a luxury—it was essential. He refused to move forward without it. No promise of success, no guarantee of victory, no assurance of provision could compensate for the absence of God Himself. In our achievement-oriented culture, we often focus more on God's blessings than on His presence. We want what He can do for us rather than simply wanting Him. But Moses teaches us to prioritize differently. He shows us that experiencing "the beauty of the Lord"—the delightfulness of God's presence—should be our highest aim. God's presence transforms ordinary moments into sacred encounters. It turns wilderness wanderings into divine appointments. It makes the journey itself, not just the destination, meaningful and purposeful. When we make God's presence our non-negotiable, everything else falls into proper perspective.
Bible Verse
"The LORD replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'" - Exodus 33:14
Reflection Question
What practical steps could you take to become more aware of and dependent on God's presence in your daily life?
Quote "If your presence does not go with us, don't bring us up from here."
Prayer
Lord, like Moses, I declare that Your presence is non-negotiable in my life. I don't want to move forward without You. Forgive me for the times I've been satisfied with Your gifts while neglecting intimacy with You. Teach me to recognize and cherish Your presence in every circumstance. May I never become so busy doing things for You that I forget to simply be with You. Amen.