A devotional by Patricia Russell
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.”
–Psalm 90:12 (NLT)
Time goes very fast. I know this all too well. When I look at my son who towers over me at 6’2” tall, I can’t help but remember him as a baby. Wow! When I think that one year ago this month North America was shaken at the core by the invasion of a virus that hit us hard, the passage of time and all that has happened leaves me thoughtful.
We have cried and grieved. Yet, God continues to watch and listen as we manage the changes and adjustments during this time. Time has caused us to reevaluate how we spend it. During this season where “stay at home” orders are in place, many have learned to develop a new skill, write the business plan we have been thinking about for years. We have done some deep thinking about our relationships: Calling, emailing, and having conversations with people that have been put on hold for months or years.
The Psalmist gives us a peek into his soul as he calls us to consider who God is and his character over the years. He opens in verse one of Psalm 90 (NLT) by stating emphatically:
“Lord, through all the generations
you have been our home!”
He says “you have been our home!” Home for many of us is a warm, safe place where you can be yourself and thrive. This is not so for others. Yet the palmist reminds us that God has been for all of us, our safe place through all generations. A generation is 40 years, so he acknowledges God as being our home for not one, or even two but through all generations. Think on this for a minute.
Do you see this? God’s very existence tells me I am safe in this world. With twists and turns, through sunshine and rain, God is, and has been our home.
He goes on to say in Psalm 90:2 (NLT):
“Before the mountains were born,
before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from beginning to end, you are God.”
Read it again. Visualize the world as nothing. I know that’s a big leap for us because the closest we get to imagining nothing may be the houses that were built in an area where we passed for years that once stood empty property. Can you remember what life was like before you knew anything about the Lord? Can you remember what life was like before knowing Him? Maybe you are going through a very hard time right now and you have more questions than faith. Moses is noted as the writer of this particular psalm, and he wants us to remember something in verse one: God is God. Before creation He was God. Before your struggle, God saw what was going to happen. Remember, He has been with us “through all generations”.
We will all experience some pain and trouble. The writer notes we been given a number of days to live and so his prayer is that we seek God on how to use our days wisely. Time does not determine how God operates because time does not control Him. Yet we need the knowledge of how to use the time that He has given us.
We note that by March 2021, it will be one-year since the world has continued to wear masks, check temperatures and stand six feet apart in public places. This does not cause God anxiety or stress. He knows how much I miss going into the seniors home to sing and encourage these precious people. He hears our cry “How long Lord?” But He is not overwhelmed by this and neither should we be. Remember, we are “at home”, in Him.
We are safe because God directs our days.
Let’s Pray: Father God, thank you for reminding us that we are safe in you. You are aware of everything that is happening to us. Help us to rest in you and continue to remind ourselves and others of this fact. From generation to generation, you are God. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
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Author Bio:
Patricia Russell is a speaker, worship leader, author, certified life coach and songwriter.
Patricia had the honour of leading worship at the kick-off event for the 2006 the “Just Give Me Jesus” Toronto Revival with Anne Graham Lotz who is the eldest daughter of Billy Graham, a well-known American evangelist.
Patricia serves in ministry along with her husband Rev. Wayne Russell. Together, they have served as guest hosts on a local early morning call in program called “Nite Lite Live” that formerly aired on the CTS Television Network. They have two adult children Raquel and Benjamin.
Patricia has recorded two CD’s: “Lord I Trust You” and a live recording “Draw Me Nearer.” She is also an author. Her first book is titled Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement. It is meant to further encourage and share life lessons as a result of her cancer journey. She is a co-author of a #1 bestseller book titled Crushed Diamonds Still Sparkle, and she has compiled the recent #1 bestseller book titled Stronger Resilience.
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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patrussellsings
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrussellonline/
Email: patrussellsings@gmail.com
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