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"My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass. But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations."

~ Psalm 102:11-12

 

This psalm assists my perspective of how small and finite I am and helps me rightly see the immensity and eternality of God.  Perhaps the superscript in your Bible also indicates that this is “A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD.”  Despite the perceived elongated experience of our 70-80 years, our lives are as fleeting as smoke from the fire (v.3), as the grass that withers (v.5) and as the evening shadows (v.11).  He has shortened our days (v.23) and we are doomed to die (v.20).  

But God is enthroned forever, remembered through all generations (v.12); he will endure (v.24); he will remain though all else will perish (v.26); he is the same (yesterday, today and forever) and has no end (v.27).  He was there before the foundation of the earth and will be there after they wear out like a garment (v.26).  He is our enduring God and heavenly Father; the Creator who laid the foundations of the earth, and of whom the heavens are the works of his hands (v.25).

In him we dwell secure and in him we are established (v.28).  He does not hide himself from us (v.20), or despise our prayers (v.17), but instead regards our prayer (v.17) and hears our groans (v.20).  God reveals himself to us in his Word.

We too are afflicted in a wide variety of ways, but God knows them all.  He is not distant or unaware; he is the God of all mercy and comfort.  Go will bring his mercy and comfort in the manner that he knows best.  May we be content and grateful and have joy, for the tested genuineness of our faith. 

I encourage you to let this psalm tune your heart to sing his praise and love him ever more!