CHRISTIANS ... and santa?

It's the time of year for glorifying GOD for the gift of the Messiah.  For praising Jesus Christ for humbling himself to be born like us and live with us so that HE could redeem us.  A Son is born!  The WORD became flesh!  It ought to consume our thoughts.  Unfortunately the Son of GOD has competition.  santa claus.  The question of whether or not to teach our children santa may seem foolish and divisive to some.  After all, what could possibly be wrong with a happy tradition that brings joy to boys and girls?  But is it that simple?

TRAINING IN WORSHIP

We worship.  That is what we are made to do.  You may easily discern what you worship.  What do you think about most?  What is most important to you?  That's your god.  When you have a problem where do you seek answers?  When you need hope or assurance, where do you look?  That's your god.

But GOD said there is to be nothing in place of HIM in our lives. It is the first commandment!

Exodus 20:3 KJV

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

We are to look to GOD alone for provision, help, direction, and ultimately salvation.  HE says there is no other way!  If we put anything else in place of HIM, it is idolatry.  But have we put santa in place of GOD?  Have we made santa a "god"?

When Christmas rolls around, and we want to express our joy and gladness at the season, what do we talk about?  santa.  "Did you see santa, are Dad and Mom taking you to see santa, are you excited for santa to come, what will santa bring you..."  It is as if the happiness, prosperity, and Christmas spirit all depend on santa.  If we want to be fulfilled at Christmas, and get the most out of the season, we need santa!  We are teaching our children to HOPE in santa.

We have an entire 'theology' built just for santa.  santa is omnipresent (he can be everywhere at once, he sees you when you're sleeping), omnipotent (he can do anything), and omniscient (he knows everything, even if you've been naughty or nice).  If santa says he will come he will come, don't worry about the chimney.  He never misses one person, so trust in santa.  But all present, all knowing, and all powerful are attributes of GOD; GOD alone!  We are teaching our children to BELIEVE in santa.

We even have a way to contact our "god".  If you want santa to come, you need to write a letter to him.  Just write 'north-pole', he'll get it!  Oh, you can pray to GOD too.  We are teaching our children to PRAY to santa.

With so much of the holiday spirit riding on santa, he's really the main figure.  We love to see our children believe in santa.  It is pleasant to believe that there is something that you can't explain; something magical and even super-natural.  It is satisfying to believe in something beyond ourselves.  This is not a coincidence.  It is called worship and we were MADE to do it.  But we were made to worship GOD.  If you give the worship that is rightly due to GOD to something else instead, it is idolatry.  We are teaching our children to WORSHIP santa.

Since our children HOPE in santa, BELIEVE in santa, WORSHIP santa, and PRAY to santa, it is abundantly clear that we have made santa a "god".  It is idolatry, and we have become fools.

Romans 1:22-23 KJV

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  (23)  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, ...

In the end, our false "god" cannot save us; he isn't even real!  But GOD is!  The reality is always more exciting than a fairy tale.  If we really knew who GOD was, we wouldn't need or want santa.

1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

IT'S JUST PRETEND

Of course some will say that we're not really teaching our children all that.  After all, "it's just pretend".  But let's say that we teach our children santa, and the easter bunny, and God, and the tooth fairy, and Jesus, and the sandman, and all the rest.  Then when they're a little older they ask us about this and we say, "Yes, they're just pretend".

    "All of them?"

"Well, not GOD and JESUS."

    "Oh."

But the damage is already done.  These figures were impressed upon their minds at a critical time in their learning.  They will now always think of GOD as a kind of magical fairy tale man who is nice to believe in.  HE supposedly has powers, and HE's nice to children and good people; they know because they drew the picture of the ark with the giraffe, right before they drew the picture of santa with the reindeer.  They want to believe in GOD.  But when life, logic, science, and philosophy come against HIM, HE goes in the fairy-tale pile.

GOD becomes inextricably linked with make-believe!

OUR WITNESS

We should also consider the unbelievers around us.  When we participate in a worldly tradition, we are missing an opportunity to glorify GOD.  Our friends and neighbours don't need to hear more santa claus and 'ho ho ho'; they need truth.  Christmas is a time when we have an opportunity to talk about the birth of the Saviour.  Don't waste time on santa.

CONCLUSION

We must not teach our children to worship any "god" other than the one true GOD and Jesus Christ HIS Son.  As parents, we must actively oppose anything which attempts to compete for their hearts or minds.  The notion that we would voluntarily introduce an idol to our children is unthinkable! 

It is also our responsibility to teach our children everything we know about GOD from HIS word.  We must not paint GOD in the same light as fairy tale creatures.  HE is real.  He is the Creator of the universe.

We must also take every opportunity we have to share CHRIST with the unbelievers around us.  Do not put a myth in HIS place?

santa is an idol for us and our children.  By teaching our children santa, we inevitably misrepresent GOD!  By participating in the santa tradition we send the wrong message to those around us.

SUFFERING - If GOD is good...

We all see death and suffering in the world.  Unfortunately, it is too easy for people to look at the death and suffering in the world, and just expect GOD to take it away.  When HE does not they assume HE does not care, or does not know, or even that HE just does not exist at all.  But HE is here, and HE does see.

Psalms 139:7-10 ASV

Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  8  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.  9  If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  10  Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.

So we must reconcile what appears to be a contradiction:  a good GOD, and suffering in the world.

1.  WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SUFFERING

The first question that must be asked is, ‘Where does suffering come from?’  It was not there in the beginning!  There was no death, no sickness, no crime or abuse.  Everything was very good.

Genesis 1:31 KJV

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

GOD had also given a law, one law:  do not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (1).  Naturally, if there is a law, then it is possible for the law to be broken.  Men were created very good, but not unchangeable.  In other words, we have the ability to take GOD’s “very good” creation, and deface and destroy it.

This is exactly what we did.  Breaking GOD’s law is the same thing as destroying HIS creation.  Through the sin of rebellion against GOD, human nature was changed.  Each one of us is now born selfish, and evil, and hating GOD.  This is called The Fall.  All of the death and suffering in the world is a result of the Fall.  So, suffering comes from us!

Romans 5:12 KJV

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

We brought sin into GOD’s creation.  And we brought death into GOD’s creation.

GOD is right and just to give the sentence of death in response to sin.  We know this intuitively.  If a government were to make a law which no one obeys, and which the government cannot enforce, then the government is seen as weak and irrelevant.  Eventually that government replaced.  This cannot be the case with GOD.  A good GOD, infinite and perfect in all HIS ways, cannot allow sin in HIS presence.  A transgression against HIS law must result in consequences for the transgressor.  It is absolutely necessary.  IF not, GOD would not be GOD.

Therefore, the perfect, very good, no death, no suffering, “Garden of Eden” state could not continue.  Because of our Fall, we are now subject to death, and we have a nature that is evil.

Romans 3:10-18 KJV

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.  13  Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:  14  Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:  15  Their feet are swift to shed blood:  16  Destruction and misery are in their ways:  17  And the way of peace have they not known:  18  There is no fear of God before their eyes.

In a world full of men like that, why would anyone blame GOD for what goes on?  We broke HIS law in the first place, and brought the sentence of death upon ourselves.  And since that time, we have continued to cause suffering by fighting and destroying each other.

2.  WHY DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL MEN

The simple answer to this question is, if GOD removed all the evil men, there would be none of us left.  Not one.

Psalms 53:2-3 KJV

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.  3  Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Everyone would be ok with GOD removing the murderers from the face of the earth.  It’s as if we say:  “Thou shalt not kill, they broke the 6th commandment (2), get rid of them”.  But what about the other Commandments? (3)  Do not commit adultery, steal, lie, or covet.  And that’s just our duty toward men!  What about worshiping GOD alone, honoring HIS name, and keeping HIS Sabbath?  All of those commands appear right beside each other.

If GOD cleansed the world of all evil, what argument could you make to convince HIM to let you stay?

3.  WHY DOES GOD NOT REVERSE THE FALL

The greatest news ever reported is that HE is!  This is the Gospel, the Good News, of Jesus Christ; GOD has made a way of salvation for sinners.  But HE cannot simply ignore the sin, and pretend it did not happen.  HE cannot be a good GOD if HE does not punish sin.  That would either make HIM powerless (he can’t punish sin) or unjust (he doesn’t punish sin).

HE is both just and powerful, and so the greatest problem in the world is:

“How can GOD forgive sinners?”

Paul answers this question directly in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 3:23-26 KJV

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

This means that GOD can forgive sinners because CHRIST was punished in their place.  On the cross, CHRIST carried the sins of men and bore the wrath of GOD.  Justice was executed fully, the penalty was carried out, and GOD is righteous.

If we repent and believe in JESUS CHRIST, GOD will count CHRIST’s suffering as our payment!  And HE will count CHRIST’s righteousness as if it were our own.  This is GOD’s plan of redemption.  This is the hope for sinners.

CONCLUSION

There is suffering in the world as a result of sin.  We broke GOD’s law and brought the sentence of death upon ourselves.  We have a fallen nature and therefore we fight and destroy each other.

There is not a single one of us who is not guilty of evil.  GOD does not cleanse the world of evil because HE is offering space to repent; a time of mercy!

GOD is not distant or un-caring.  HE loves the world.  HE is restoring HIS creation and offering salvation to all who repent and believe.  To demonstrate his compassion toward us, HE designed a plan of salvation that took HIS own SON to the cross!  CHRIST suffered with us on this earth, and bore the wrath of GOD in our place!  Even though it is our fault, and we deserve the suffering we experience, GOD has chosen to suffer with us.  HE didn’t have to!  That is compassion!

Instead of asking GOD, “why do you allow all this suffering”, we should be repenting for causing all this suffering, and thanking GOD that HE endured it with us when HE did not have to.

John 3:16 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

REFERENCES

1.    Genesis 2:16-17

2.    Exodus 20:13

3.    Exodus 20:1-17

SAVED BY GRACE

Romans 11:5-6 KJV

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.  (6)  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter Paul is speaking about some men who have believed in Jesus Christ, and some men who have not believed.  Those who have believed he calls the ‘remnant’, and he states that their belief is only possible by the election of grace.  That is, the sovereign choice of GOD to freely give them the faith to believe.  GOD chose them.

In verse 6 Paul makes an important contrast regarding Salvation.  It is either a gift from GOD given by HIS grace, or, we can earn it and there is no gift from GOD needed.  These two options are not compatible and do not overlap.  It is one or the other.

Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Throughout scripture we find the consistent and overwhelming message that men may only be saved by the grace of GOD.  There is no work that we could ever do that would atone for our sin; both because our debt is infinite, and our ability is nonexistent.  The more we understand GOD’s awesome and mighty role salvation, and the more we realize that we can do nothing for our own salvation, the more we will glorify HIM!

A GIFT THAT ISN’T, WORKS THAT AREN’T

Romans 11:6a KJV

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.

By definition a gift cannot be earned.  If payment is received back for the gift then it isn’t a gift anymore, it is a sale.  And if the gift is given in return for goods or services, then it is really a payment.  In the same way, if we can do anything to influence GOD to give us salvation, then salvation is not a gift.  Even the slightest work or effort would destroy grace.  Therefore there cannot be any works involved otherwise the grace is no more grace.

Romans 11:6b KJV

But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

By definition work deserves a reward.  When something is given in return for goods and services, it is not a gift, it is payment.  It is not given because the giver desires to bless the receiver.  Rather, it is given because it is owed; it is the just reward for the work.  Here Paul is examining the wrong model of salvation.  If there is any part of salvation that is undeserved, and given as a gift, then it wasn’t real work and we didn’t earn it.  This is why proud men reject the gospel!  They refuse to accept grace because it requires that they humble themselves and admit they cannot earn it.  They say, “There cannot be grace, otherwise my work is no more work!”

However, in the correct model of Sola Gratia (grace alone), there are no works involved.  GOD cannot permit works to be involved anywhere in salvation, because HIS glory HE will not share with another (1). 

REJECTED BLESSINGS

We have already seen that if something is earned it is not a gift.  If we claim to earn our salvation, or contribute to it by our works, then we are rejecting the gifts and blessings of GOD.  We would despise HIS inheritance to us as Esau did his birthright (2).  We cannot have it both ways; either it is gifts and blessings by grace, or it is payment for works.

Ephesians 1:3-4 KJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  (4)  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Here Paul writes in verse 4 that “he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world”.  That’s the election of grace.  In verse 3 Paul says HE has “blessed us with all spiritual blessings”.  We cannot deny that GOD chose us and freely gave us the gift which we did not earn, and still claim to have the blessings that he blessed us with!  In this case, you can’t reject verse 4 and claim verse 3.

In this chapter of Ephesians Paul lists the blessings that GOD has freely given.  These are the blessings that we would forfeit if we reject grace. 

o       v4 to make us holy and without blame

o       v5 to adopt us

o       v6 to accept and love us

o       v7 to redeem us, to forgive us

o       v8 to give us wisdom and prudence

o       v9 to reveal the mystery of HIS will to us

o       v10 to gather us together

o       v11 to give us an inheritance

If we allow that man had some part, or played some role in earning his salvation, then we are denying and diminishing the blessing of GOD.  But the Psalmist said that the righteousness we need is a blessing from the LORD; it is from the GOD of our salvation (5).  The man who says that he is saved, and claims he has received nothing from GOD, is committing blasphemy.  HE is saying, “Thanks GOD, but no thanks.  I’m covered.  I’ll see you when I get there.”  It is both sin, and foolishness.  These are called BLESSINGS, and you cannot bless yourself.

AN INFINITE STANDARD

If you would purpose to earn your salvation, it would be wise to define the criteria.  Then you should do a skills assessment, and finally a gap analysis.  This is the way in which carnal man attempts to improve himself.

1. Standard:  Infinite Perfection (3)
• GOD said:  Be ye HOLY, as I AM HOLY
• love the Lord your GOD with all your heart, soul, and mind
• love your neighbour as yourself
• to look with lust it is the same as adultery
• to be angry with your brother is the same as murder
• if you break any command, you are guilty of all

2. Our Abilities: (4)

• dead in trespasses and sins
• a heart of stone (dead, hard, cold)
• wickedness filled the earth
• every single thought completely evil
• hating GOD
• enmity with GOD

No further analysis of this gap is required.  It is an infinite chasm.  The standard is infinitely high, and we are infinitely sinful and wicked.  There is absolutely no hope that we could ever satisfy the perfect righteousness of GOD.

CONCLUSION

It is not possible that the works of men are involved in salvation.  If they were, it would be impossible for anyone to be saved, because the standard is perfection and we are dead in our sins. 

It is absolutely necessary that salvation be completely by grace, because we require the blessings from GOD which he gives freely as gifts.

Psalms 24:3-5 KJV

Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?  (4)  He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.  (5)  He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

You will not ascend to the hill of GOD, nor stand in HIS holy place without the blessing, the gift, of righteousness.  Only the righteousness of Christ will satisfy the criteria of GOD, and there is only one way to attain that righteousness:  Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ!

REFERENCES

1. Isaiah 42:8
2. Genesis 25:29-34
3. Leviticus 11:45, Matthew 22:36-40, Matthew 5:28, Matthew 5:21-22, James 2:10,
4. Ephesians 2:1, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Genesis 6:5, Romans 1, Romans 8:7-8,
5. Psalms 24:5

Christ Suffered For Us

Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We are exhorted here to “hold fast” and to “come boldly to obtain mercy”.  The first refers to persevering in the struggles of life, no matter how bleak the circumstances become.  The second refers to the confidence we can have that GOD will reward them that seek him (1).  Put together, this is saying that we can have hope now in this life, and hope for eternity.  The motivation for this hope is Jesus Christ; who HE was, and what HE did. 

The writer of Hebrews clearly believed that the GOD with whom we have to do (2) is a sympathetic GOD.  HE knows our weakness, our sickness, and our temptation.  How comforting is it to know that Jesus felt what we feel.  Whatever sickness or hurt we experience, Jesus did too.  GOD sent HIS own SON to experience our sufferings so that we would have a real demonstration of GOD’s sympathy toward us.  It can never be said that GOD is distant or unfeeling.  It can never be said that HE is insensitive to our suffering.  HE chose to come in the flesh and walk in our shoes to prove otherwise.

The greater our faith the more comfort we will know.  Faith comes by hearing (3).  If we understand more fully the ways that Jesus has suffered for us, we will in turn understand more of the love and mercy of GOD.

1. Jesus suffered physically.

Isaiah 53:3 KJV

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isaiah prophesied here that the Lord Jesus would have suffering during HIS life.  This was an accurate prophecy.  HIS afflictions began with HIS birth when HE was born outside (4) because no one would make room.  Before HE was two years old HE was taken to Egypt to escape those trying to kill HIM (5).  The beginning of HIS ministry was forty days of fasting in the wilderness, after which, when HE hungered, HE was tempted by Satan himself (6).  Throughout HIS ministry he moved from town to town with no earthly house of HIS own (7).  HE did not come to have an easy life, but rather HE came as the suffering servant.

Of course the apex of HIS physical suffering was in his crucifixion.  The fact the HE knew what would come only added to the anguish and stress that HE endured.

Matthew 20:17-19 KJV

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,  18  Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,  19  And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

HE knew that his future held mocking, beating, and crucifixion.  This weighed so heavily on him that in the garden he was sorrowful unto death (8), and prayed in agony until his sweat was like blood (9). 

2. Jesus suffers relationally.

John 1:10-11 KJV

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Imagine the pain of coming to your own family and being rejected.  Imagine coming to your wife, or husband, or father, or mother, and being denied and discarded.  Yet this was the experience of the Lord Jesus.  The very people whom HE had created, and whom HE was now coming to redeem, rejected HIM! 

Not only did they reject HIM, but they actively persecuted HIM.  They picked up rocks to stone HIM (10), accused HIM of working for the devil (11), and would not even receive him into their towns (12). 

Luke 13:34 KJV

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

This text expresses HIS sadness and sorrow at the hardness of men’s hearts.  It grieved HIM that they would not make room for HIM.  Even when HE was born outside, it was not simply because there was no room left.  Rather, it was because no one offered HIM a room.  They would not make room for HIM.  As they rejected HIM at birth, they rejected HIM in HIS life and at HIS death.  As they would not make physical room for HIM at HIS birth, neither would they make room for HIM in their hearts.

3. Jesus suffers sympathetically.

In Acts chapter 9, we find Paul heading to Damascus to persecute the believers there.  He intends to arrest them and bring some back to Jerusalem.

Acts 9:3-5 KJV

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Paul was persecuting Christians, but Jesus said, “You are persecuting ME”.  The Lord Jesus personally felt, and still feels, the slings and arrows that strike HIS body the Church.  As Hebrews says, “we have not a high priest who cannot be touched by the feeling of our infirmities”.  Because HE has felt what we feel, HE is sympathetic to our suffering.

CONCLUSION

Because of the incarnation, Jesus Christ has experienced our suffering and sorrow.  In fact, as the lamb of GOD, the sinless one, HE who knew no sin, Jesus Christ has experienced more suffering than we ever will.  He has suffered more than any other.  HE has suffered our rejection and the pain of persecution against HIS people.  Yet, because of HIS love toward us, HE continues to experience these sufferings.  What manner of GOD is HE, that HE would condescend to HIS people and desire to be with us!  HE is the friend who will never leave us nor forsake us (13).

Proverbs 18:24 KJV

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Jesus Christ is the friend of sinners (14).  And in the unimaginable and unparalleled act of compassion and solidarity, the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us (15) so that the greatest friend could display that HE truly is closer than a brother.

REFERENCES

(1)            Hebrews 11:6

(2)            Hebrews 4:12-13

(3)            Romans 10:17

(4)            Luke 2:6-7

(5)            Matthew 2:13-16

(6)            Matthew 4:1-11

(7)            Matthew 8:20

(8)            Mark 14:34

(9)            Luke 22:44

(10)       Luke 4:16-31

(11)       Matthew 12:22-37

(12)       Luke 9:51-56 (Samaritans), Matthew 8:34 (Gadarenes)

(13)       Hebrews 13:5

(14)       Luke 15:1-2

(15)       John 1:14

Number Your Days

Psalms 90:3-12 KJV

Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.  (4)  For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.  (5)  Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.  (6)  In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.  (7)  For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.  (8)  Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.  (9)  For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.  (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.  (11)  Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.  (12)  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

1. GOD TURNS US TO DESTRUCTION

Psalms 90:3 KJV

Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

The ‘destruction’ and ‘return’ referred to in this verse have both a temporal (earthly life) and eternal context.  The eternal context of ‘destruction’ is suffering the infinite wrath of GOD in hell.  The very thought of which should make us tremble in terror and call out to GOD for mercy.  This is the meaning of ‘return’.  It is GOD’s will that men repent, and return to HIM (1).  It is because of GOD’s mercy that HE has warned us, and called to us, ‘Repent!’ (2).

2 Chronicles 36:15-16 KJV  15

And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:  16  But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

GOD has sent HIS prophets to us, and given us HIS word, but we would not hear.  We would not listen to the instruction.  So GOD, in even more mercy, has put into our lives physical warnings that we cannot avoid.  In this life we see misery, struggle and sickness.  Our bodies age, and decay, and suffer disease.  The inevitable end of which is our physical death; when the body returns to dust, and the soul returns to GOD.  It is by these afflictions during life, and by the inevitability of death at the end of life, that GOD is calling to us.  HE has set these trials in our life to remind us that we are fallen.  HE has set the absolute boundary of death at the end of every life so that no man will be unaware.  Every one must face this reality.

Through the destruction of this life, GOD calls us to live a new life.  It is consistently through our affliction that GOD humbles us, breaks our pride and hope in ourselves, and restores us to HIM.  HE turns us to that destruction, to say, “Return to me”!

2. BREVITY

Psalms 90:4 KJV

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

This life is very short.   Even if it were 1000 years, it would still be short.  Yesterday, when it is passed, is nothing.  It is impossible to compare the temporal with the eternal.  This is a clear reminder to us not to trust in man, this life, or the things of the world.  They are passing away.

We are too often deceived into hoping in our earthly future.  We look forward to so many things and we think we still “have so much to live for”.  We think death is still far away.  But this only takes our focus off of the eternal reality.  When the end of our life comes those things will have passed away and they will be nothing.

It is GOD’s mercy that HE does not allow us to be deceived by this lie.  HIS word, the afflictions in our life, and the inevitability of death all remind us that this life is passing away.

3. FRAILTY AND FUTILITY

Psalms 90:5-6 KJV

Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.  6  In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

The purpose of this statement is to remind us that we have no hope in man or ourselves.  We are carried away, we are cut down, we wither.

As with the moving water of a flood, we are always moving closer to death; it cannot be slowed down or stopped.  But it can be sped up.  Floods can also become violent and quickly sweep away everything in their path.  Even so, we can be swept away by death in an instant.

In the same way that a dream of last night vanishes when you try to remember it, man’s life vanishes.  We are sleeping and dreaming and imagining great things.  We imagine that we always have more time, until we awaken to the reality.  Then our life is gone like a dream of last night.

No one remembers the grass that was cut down yesterday.  It withered, and blew away and it is gone.  Even the most beautiful flower only lasts for a day.  No matter what you achieve in this life, it does not last.  There is no hope in man, or the things of this life, or this world.

4. WRATH

Psalms 90:7-11 KJV

For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.  8  Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.  9  For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.  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.  11  Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

It must be understood that our misery in this life and our physical death are not just natural occurrences.  They are supernatural acts of GOD.  They are debts owed to GOD’s justice.

HE has brought all our iniquities before HIS judgment seat.  HE has exposed our sin, and judged it.  HIS just response to our sin is anger.  HIS judgment on all men is misery in this life, physical death, and eternal death in hell.

Yet, through what CHRIST has done, GOD shows mercy and forgives.  All who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus will be saved from the eternal wrath of GOD.

5. GOD SAYS RETURN!

Psalms 90:12 KJV

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

If we would ‘number our days’, we would be convinced that there are very few of them, and that they are quickly passing away.  We need to be aware that our life is short and fleeting.  This would lead us to apply our hearts to wisdom.  It is absolutely insane to hope in something that we know is passing away.  Trusting in this life is foolishness, it is not wise.  If we have any hope in this life it is a sure sign that we have not applied our heart to wisdom.

Everything that has been said in this text so far should make this point clear.  Because of our sin we are under the just judgment of the HOLY GOD.  There is no hope in man, there is no hope in this life.  The brevity, frailty, and futility of this life are merciful reminders from GOD of our condition.  HE has turned us to destruction to call us to repent.

REFERENCES

1.           2 Peter 3:9

2.           Jeremiah 7:13,25; 11:7; 25:3,4; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14,15; 44:4;