Living in the Shadow of His Hand

Praying Mercy For Others

“Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, the years in which we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children. 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.” – Psalms 90:14-17

Moses was the writer of Psalms 90, and it begins by acknowledging God’s sovereignty over man and His goodness as He has been their refuge for years.  He then confesses man’s frailty in life as being cut down and withering, and their evil ways.  He expresses that God’s wrath has been upon them because of their sins. 

And then He says “So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  The heart of wisdom comes from knowing and applying God’s word to our actions.  It’s not the “head” of wisdom he desires for his people – it’s a heart change.  Only when the heart is changed will the head and the actions follow.

And then Moses does what all leaders should do.  He cries out for mercy. He asks that the “BEAUTY OF THE LORD OUR GOD” be upon them, and that He would again lead them and establish their daily actions.  

We are all leaders.  No matter who you are, there’s someone that looks to you as their unofficial role model or guide in this life.  It could be your children, your friends, or even perfect strangers from time to time that will watch to see how you handle life. 

I think far too often I myself cry out to God for mercy for me, rather than mercy for others.  It’s quite easy to pray to God that they change their ways, that they see a better life, that He send the punishment that corrects, but what about asking Him to be merciful?  What about asking Him to just go after that one that left the ninety-nine?  What about asking Him to grant them time here on earth to come to an understanding of His sovereignty? What about asking Him for the beauty of the Lord God to be upon them?