>
“For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.
Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
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.” – Psalm 90:7-10
This psalm of Moses, giver of the 10 Commandments and more, is a prayer for God’s mercy not a definition of God’s intent.
This is not saying we are allotted 70 to 80 years; the number, in context, is indicated a result of sin and God’s wrath, as is the description of labor and sorrow. We are intended for Joy1
In Christ we have been delivered from God’s wrath.2 Our lives are not bound by 70, 80, or any number of years. The bible indicates we can shorten our life3 or lengthen it,4 and when we give our life to Jesus we give him our death, too.
Whether we live 5 or 105 years on this earth, in Christ our focus is no longer the number of years but God’s purposes and grace.5
Moses, himself lived to be 120 with his most productive years after age 80, don’t set low expectations.
Someone once said, “I would rather aim high and miss by a little than aim low and hit it.”
-fritz
1 – See Post from July 31, 2010 – “Intended for Joy”
2 – Romans 5:9
3 – Psalm 55:23
4 – Proverbs 3:2
5 – Philippians 1:23
