Today’s Scripture
“7 For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified.
8 You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
9 For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh.
10 The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants.
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.
16 Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children.
17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” – Psalm 90:7-17 (NKJV)
Introduction: The Cost of Sinful Living
Sin has a way of consuming our time, energy, and focus, leaving us unfulfilled and distant from God. Psalm 90 offers a sobering reflection on the brevity of life and the consequences of living outside of God’s will. Time wasted in sin is time stolen from our divine purpose. When we stop letting sin dictate our schedules, we open the door to God’s wisdom, peace, and lasting joy.
The Time-Wasting Nature of Sin
Sin Distracts and Drains
Sinful living is not just a moral issue; it’s a thief of the precious time God has given us.
- It distracts us from our purpose: Pursuits rooted in sin often seem fulfilling but lead to dead ends (Proverbs 14:12).
- It drains our energy: Guilt, shame, and the consequences of sin leave us spiritually and emotionally exhausted.
- It blinds us to eternity: Sin narrows our focus to temporary pleasures, ignoring the bigger picture of God’s plan.
Biblical Examples of Sin’s Consequences
The Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness serve as a vivid reminder of how sin and disobedience can delay God’s blessings. Their failure to trust and obey God resulted in wasted time and lost opportunities. This serves as a cautionary tale for us to avoid similar pitfalls.
Redeeming Time Through God’s Wisdom
The Gift of a Heart of Wisdom
Psalm 90:12 pleads, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Recognizing the fleeting nature of life motivates us to live intentionally.
- Awareness of time: Understanding that each day is a gift compels us to use it wisely.
- Pursuing godly wisdom: God’s guidance helps us avoid sin’s traps and align our lives with His purpose.
Steps to Break Free from Sinful Living
- Confess and repent: Acknowledge your sins before God and turn away from them (1 John 1:9).
- Seek accountability: Surround yourself with believers who encourage spiritual growth and hold you accountable.
- Replace sin with godly habits: Invest your time in prayer, worship, and serving others to build a life that honors God.
The Rewards of God-Centered Living
Restoration of Purpose
When we surrender to God, He redeems the time we’ve lost. Joel 2:25 promises, “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.”
- Peace and fulfillment: Living in alignment with God’s will brings a sense of purpose and joy that sin can never provide.
- Eternal significance: Time spent serving God creates a legacy that lasts far beyond this life.
Living Under God’s Favor
Psalm 90:17 declares, “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us.” When we live for God, our efforts are blessed and multiplied for His glory.
- Impactful work: God-centered activities bear eternal fruit, influencing lives for generations.
- Divine favor: Walking in obedience invites God’s blessing and presence into every area of life.
Conclusion
Psalm 90 reminds us of the brevity of life and the need to live wisely. A sinful life wastes time and drains our purpose, but turning to God restores what has been lost. By seeking His wisdom and aligning our lives with His will, we can experience the fullness of His joy and the beauty of a life well-lived. Don’t let sin decide your schedule—surrender your time to God and discover the freedom of living for Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us of the preciousness of time. Forgive us for the moments we’ve wasted in sin, and teach us to live with wisdom and purpose. Help us to align our days with Your will, so our lives may reflect Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
