THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
We are Christians primarily for the promise of eternal life; one should not expect worldly happiness or material gain as a Christian. Instead, one ought to cherish whatever joy one experiences, giving thanks for God's comfort when it is present and for His justice when it is not. Gratitude should be constant, whether one receives God's affectionate touch or endures His corrective discipline. His love is unwavering, regardless of whether He comforts or reproves. As the Psalm declares: "It is good to give thanks unto the Lord; and to sing to thy Name, O Most High," Psalm 90:1.
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This psalm is designated "A psalm to be sung on the Sabbath." Today marks the Sabbath, which the Jews observe with physical rest and often engage in trivial activities that God forbids. While they refrain from labor, they neglect doing good works, opting rather for idle pursuits. Our rest comes from ceasing evil deeds, theirs from abstaining from good ones; indeed, it is preferable to labor than to indulge in leisure without purpose. The Sabbath that God intends for us is the inner rest of our hearts. Many may appear still in their actions while their conscience remains troubled. Our true Sabbath is the joy that resides in the peace of our hope. This psalm eloquently expresses how a Christian dwells in the Sabbath of the heart—with serenity, calmness, and clarity of conscience—teaching us why many are disturbed, and guiding us on how to maintain the Sabbath within our souls.
We must hold ourselves accountable for our wrongdoings and seek mercy. Many do not acknowledge Satan’s role in their failures, instead attributing their actions to fate. When confronted about wrongdoing, they often cite their “evil destiny” as the cause, indirectly pointing to God as the origin of their sins—a grave error that leads to blasphemy. They might attribute divine intention to their sinful actions, lamenting that had God not willed it, they would not have erred. God, however, gives warnings not only to protect us from straying but to urge us toward accountability for our actions. What guidance does this psalm offer? It emphasizes the goodness of confessing to the Lord. This means acknowledging our sins for what they are and ascribing our good works to God, who empowers them. We should lift our voices in praise for His name, seeking His glory rather than our own; for if we prioritize His name, He likewise seeks to elevate ours, but neglecting His will brings about our own disgrace.
"In the morning, I will tell of Your mercy, and in the evening, I will speak of Your truth," Psalm 90:2. What does this convey? God’s mercy is revealed to us in times of well-being, while His truth resonates during our struggles. In essence, when we thrive, we celebrate His favor. But one may wonder: if we exult in God’s mercy during times of prosperity, should we not lament His severity in sorrow? No, we ought to extol His mercy when we flourish and honor His truth in tribulation, recognizing that He disciplines sin, remaining just in His actions. During the night, Daniel acknowledged God’s truth, confessing, "We have sinned, and done iniquity, and done evil. Lord, Thou hast truth, and we are in shame," Daniel 9:5, 7. Speaking of God's truth in the darkest moments calls us to attribute our hardships to our failings, rather than to unjust treatment from God, consistently affirming His mercy in both joy and sorrow.
"I will make music with the ten-stringed lyre," Psalm 91:3. The ten-stringed lyre symbolizes the Ten Commandments. However, we must not just bear this law; we are to actively engage in living it out with both song and action. Jewish people possess the law yet may fall short in embodying its spirit. True expression of devotion includes both speech and action. Without both, one only partially fulfills the call to worship.
"For You, O Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will sing aloud for joy at the works of Your hands," Psalm 90:4. The psalmist acknowledges that life and goodness come from God. If we achieve any righteousness it is due to His crafting us for good deeds, as stated by the Apostle: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works," Ephesians 2:10. Without His design for our lives, we would only know evil. The truth cannot originate from ourselves; like a stone that can only reflect light from an outside source, we too require the illuminating warmth of God. Should we stray from Him, we grow cold; drawing near ignites our spirits as the Apostle teaches us to "be fervent in spirit," Romans 12:11. God provides light to illuminate our works, and as the psalm encourages, "Look unto Him, and you shall be radiant; your faces shall never be ashamed." We can accomplish no good apart from the light of God.
The oppressed individual, who labors for good but often witnesses the wicked prospering, may become indignant, questioning, "Why, O God, do the evildoers thrive while I suffer?” Those who disregard God's ordinance often envy others, feeling compelled to imitate those whose wickedness appears rewarding. However, God is patient, eternally aware of the timeline of His judgment when righteousness and wrongdoing will be weighed.
This truth leads us to understand: "Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep," Psalm 90:5. Indeed, no depth compares to the perplexity of God’s wisdom in allowing the wicked to flourish while the righteous bear suffering. The unbelieving heart is consumed by confusion in this profound mystery. To maneuver through this depth, we must cling to the Cross of Christ, knowing it is our safeguard against despair. The suffering He endured was for our ultimate comfort, signifying that by enduring hardships in this life, we follow in His footsteps—trusting the promises contained in His resurrection.
Do not mistake the seeming prosperity of the wicked for true fulfillment, for their fleeting successes are not everlasting. Instead, set your heart to yearn for eternal truths. As the psalmist warns against being captivated by the transient joys of the ungodly, we must hold on to God’s promises and remember, "The foolish man does not understand this," Psalm 91:6. The ungodly may prosper briefly, but they will wither amid eternal judgment.
"But You, O Lord, are on high forever!" Psalm 90:8. God exists beyond time, watching over both the wicked and just until the appointed day. In faith, we unite with Him, knowing that all earthly things will ultimately yield to His sovereign will. Who is truly His enemy? Certainly, those who blaspheme Him are enemies; yet among us, there may be subtler threats, those who exhibit earthly affections at the cost of divine friendship. "Friendship with the world is enmity with God," James 4:4. Do not align yourself with worldly desires, for a love of the earthly makes one an adversary to the Lord. Such individuals may seem prosperous now but are destined for perdition when judgment arrives.
We anticipate that "your enemies shall perish," Psalm 91:9. Avoid companionship with those destined for ruin. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, as the psalm declares, and will thrive "in old age they shall be full of sap and green," Psalm 91:12. Such is our hope, nourished and growing in the presence of the Lord. They shall stand firm and unyielding in the storms while the transitory pleasures of evil wither before them. Seek joy in belonging to God, and embrace the invitation to thrive as He addresses the righteous with everlasting grace, proving His strength and righteousness. The eternal God desires a loving relationship with you, nurturing your spirit and granting you the fortitude necessary to endure this world while waiting for His perfect timing.