Psalms 90:10

Psalms 90:10 says, 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.  We often hear this giving as the life expectancy of people, seventy years, and it also says maybe eighty if you are strong, and the average life expectancy is still under eighty years.  As stated, even if we defy the odds and live past a hundred, we will soon pass out of this life.  Verse eleven adds, Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.  The question is then asked who knew the anger of God, and even if no one truly understands the angel of God, we never really want to.  Those who do not accept God's gracious and merciful salvation certainly do not understand His wrath against sin.  Verse twelve continues, So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.  Since we realize that our lifetime is limited, we are called on to use our time wisely.  As followers of Christ, we have a purpose each day that we live, and that is to share the gospel with those around us and to help those in need if we have the ability.  Verse thirteen states, Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.  There is a call for God to return to the people of Isreal,  but it was really up to the people to return to God.  We are not to just sit around today waiting for the return of Christ, but we are to be drawn closer to Him each day.  I don't believe that we are to try to determine how long it will be until His return, but simply live each day as if it were our last.  Verse fourteen adds, O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.  I believe this is a call for people to come to God early in life so that their days may be filled with purpose.  Only the things that we do for God have any true purpose.  Verse fifteen declares, Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.  Moses asked that the days of gladness be as long as the days of affliction when the people did not follow God's will.  Though our days of gladness may not balance out our days of affliction in this lifetime if we accept Christ later in life, they certainly will in the lifetime to come.  Verse sixteen adds, Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.  God's work appears to all people, but until we become a servant of God, we will not acknowledge it.  Verse seventeen continues, And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.  The beauty of God's salvation of people will be revealed when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, and then He will give us work to do as His followers.