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.
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.
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!
This has been a psalm I’ve meditated on the last few weeks–and each time I read it, I think the Lord reveals a little more of his character, a little more of what a humble posture in this life looks like, a little more of what it means to delight in the Lord. There is comfort in this passage–TRUE comfort, not in circumstances but in the faithful and loving Lord (“Lord you have been our dwelling place in all generations.”). There is a challenge in this verse that we keep eternal perspective (“For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it’s past”) and an irony of both or inconsequential nature (“Teach us to number our days”) along with a promise that we are of great importance and purpose to the Lord (He himself provides a dwelling place for us, cares for us).
Our family’s morning verse has been this passage, a prayer to “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” The more I think on this verse, I realize that it is not only a prayer, but a command–that we rejoice and be content in the love of the Lord–not in circumstances but in Himself–and that each day, no matter what it brings, may bring rejoicing.
In company of a blog about adoption, to say that we can “rejoice” with each day is not said easily! Adoption always involves loss of some sort, and I have yet to meet someone with a rosy road to the day families bring children home (or a rosy road afterward!) And yet, the Lord knows these challenges and still would say to us to “rejoice and be glad all our days.” I think the critical element of this is that our rejoicing stems from being “satisfied with your steadfast love.” Meditating on the love of the Lord will never disappoint, provides all hope, gives all strength, and equips us to rejoice!!!
