A Psalm of Life
Dear brothers and sisters, greetings and Shalom in Christ!
From the past mid-week Pastoral Addresses written by our young Pastors, Ps Simon and Ps Enos, I have read about their life experiences and thoughts in their thirties. Pastor Simon shared his deep conviction of God’s Word guiding him in life. Ps Enos shared about Psalm 90 and his quest for God’s purpose in his life.
For me, I am turning 70 next year! Yet, I share similar thoughts and mindsets with our two young Pastors. I thank God for allowing me to live and serve in His temple. Furthermore, with vigilance, I cherish the people around me and live each day well. Indeed! Our time in this life is far too short. Time cannot be turned back, nor can we use money to buy time. Time will indeed pass us by, leaving us with more wrinkles, more grey hair, and slower movement. Some time ago, when I was sorting out the documents in the office, I came across my old photos and realised how much I had changed. Compared with the person I was ten years ago, I am so different today. My spirit, strength, and mind are slowly deteriorating… I have a feeling that everything is nearly coming to its end! I wonder if some of our seniors feel the same way?
In Psalm 90:10, Moses laments, “ 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 .” Moses’ lifespan was much longer than that of ordinary people, yet he speaks of a short lifespan, that the pride is labour and sorrow, and “we fly away”. Similarly, in Psalm 39:4-5, David described, “ O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! ”
Everyone knows that our lives are not long, whether it’s seventy, eighty, or even a hundred years old, which are all countable numbers. Our time on earth is very short. David said that our days are a few handbreadths, just a little time; if we put this little time in God’s eternity, it is trivial, because this time is too short. David also said, “… my lifetime is as nothing before you ”. This is God’s peoples’ perspective, thus, the wise Moses prayed before God, ” So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom .” (Psalm 90:12) Moses did a very important thing that he asked God to give him a wise heart. Dear seniors, brothers, and sisters: May we encourage one another, in this short life, especially during this period of the pandemic when things are disrupted and full of uncertainties; May we support and encourage one another, hold fast to God’s promises; May the Lord give us hearts of wisdom, to live our lives that please Him, bring honour to God and benefit others. Amen!
Elder Boon Teck