Psalm 90:10 "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."
Genesis 3:24 "So he drove out the man; and he placed at the
east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every
way, to keep the way of the tree of life."
I include the Genesis passage to say, "Thank you Lord for the flaming
sword." Can you imagine what this world would have been like if God had
not placed the Cherubims and flaming sword to "keep the way of the tree of
life"? Imagine Adam going back into the Garden and partaking of the
tree of life after having eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Imagine him being alive after these 6000 plus years. He would not be the same
Adam as the day God drove them out. He would be ravaged with disease and
weakness and sorrow of life. There would not be enough hospitals and nursing
homes to house every person who has ever lived on the face of the earth.
Imagine someone with a dreaded illness and not being able to "fly
away". Thank God for the flaming sword that kept the way of the tree
of life. Thank God for His provision that we will all "fly away" one
day.
Most, if not all, of us have experienced watching a loved one having to deal
with one of the terrible illnesses that fill the earth. We've seen beautiful
minds destroyed by terrible diseases. We've seen bodies that have been ravaged
with pain and sickness. Thank God for the flaming sword. Thank God for the
manner in which in His time, we will "fly away".
So, there is a verse that follows our text verse. "So teach us to number
our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)
Yes, one day we will go home to be with the Lord, but we are to be busy
working in the kingdom of God until that day arrives. Teach us, Lord, to
understand we are not going to live forever. Teach us, Lord, to apply our
hearts unto wisdom. It is a wonderful thing to apply our minds to
knowledge and wisdom, but this passage speaks to us of seeking the things of
the Lord and applying them in our lives as we go through this low ground of sin
and sorrow. Teach us to seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness and to know you, O Lord, will provide our every need.