Psalm 90, "Teach Us to Number Our Days,"  Rev. Mike Ford, Reformed University Fellowship at the University of Arkansas.

God intends to change you by His Word. How is He at work in you to do that?  

Read Psalm 90  and consider these questions. 

WE ARE CHANGED BY GOD’S WORD — Psalm 90 (ESV)

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 return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”

4  For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, 

    or as a watch in the night.

5  You sweep them away as with a flood; 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 brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed.

8  You have set our iniquities before you, your secret sins in the light of your             presence.

9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end 

    like a sigh.

10 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.

11 Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the

     fear of you?

12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

13 Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and 

    be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

    and for as many years as we have seen evil.

16 Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to 

    their children.

17 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!

 

1. The sermon (and Psalm 90!) mentioned that to live wisely, we have to be honest about our humanity. This involves acknowledging that we are fragile, finite and failures. Which one stood out to you and why? How do you normally deal with your fragility, finiteness and failures (if you even do!)?
2. What does the Bible add to the list above in regards to who we are as human beings (e.g. Ps 8 is extremely dignifying of human beings)? What would you add? Why is there a tension here?
3. Tim Keller says, "Without a robust doctrine of sin, we cannot be wise." Do you agree with that? If so, why is that a true statement? How can Jesus meet us in our fragility, finiteness, and failures?
4. Annie Dillard said, "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." What takes up most of your time each day, week, month? What is most mundane about your day? What is most exciting? Where do you feel most productive and where do you feel least efficient (i.e. where do you waste the most time?)
5. In light of that, what are some practical ways Trinity Owasso can number their days as a church community? What are some practical ways you can number your days with your household? With your own life? In other words, how does the honest of our lives and the hope of God's love change the way we practically live day to day?