Articulating Hope
  • Home
  • Deacon Vernon's Blog
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Book Discussion Guide

Life Is Hard--Read Psalm 90

6/23/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
Praying the Liturgy of the Hours for the last 20 years has been an interesting experience.  There are times when the psalms especially speak to me in regard to life circumstances and other times when they do not.  However, there is one psalm that always makes me pause a little longer than the others, and that psalm occurred this morning.  It is Psalm 90 verse 10 in particular.  “Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong; most of them are sorrow and toil; they pass quickly, we are all but gone.”

This passage is very sobering.  The human frailty we experience in our day-to-day lives is a reality that is spelled out quite succinctly in this one verse.  The following verses of the psalm add a piece of hope as the prayer continues.  Verse 12 says, “Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.”  Verse 17 concludes the psalm with, “May the favor of the Lord our God be ours.  Prosper the work of our hands!  Prosper the work of our hands!”

How blessed we are when we gain wisdom of heart!  That gift doesn’t automatically come with the passing of the years.  It is a gift given to us through the love and favor of God if we are open to grace.  The power of the Holy Spirit in our lives gives meaning to the toil and helps bring forth an abundant harvest of fruit.  “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”  (Galatians 5:22)

Yesterday, my mom started questioning me about a recent post on my blog concerning the aspect of feeling defeated.  She asked if I was sick or if something else was wrong.  I didn’t know the answer to that question exactly when she asked it because there wasn’t one specific thing wrong.  It was more a compilation of a variety of issues.  Today, I know the answer to her question, and it is articulated in Psalm 90 verse 10.  Life is just difficult at times.

In closing, I would like to point out that my mom doesn’t have a computer and did not see any of my blog postings until a couple of weeks ago.  Then, my nephew shared the post of my ordination anniversary on June 5, with her so she could see the pictures and the story.  Now a friend of my mom’s has picked up the role of sharing my blog with her on a more regular basis.  Since my mom will now be evaluating each word I write, I will simply give her a “shout out” this one time for surpassing the numerical expectations of Psalm 90.  Mom, you not only made it past 70 and 80 years respectively, but have surpassed it by a decade.  Thus, the picture above is just for you.  Do you remember doing crazy things like riding a motorcycle in your 80’s?  It makes me wonder.  What did you do when you were younger?


2 Comments
Victor S E Moubarak link
6/23/2014 08:24:34 pm

Best wishes to your mother. And to you and your family.

God bless.

Reply
Deacon Vernon
6/24/2014 12:18:53 am

Thank you Victor.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Author

    This is my personal blog.  The opinions expressed are those of Deacon Vernon and the blog's readers.  This site operates independently and is not affiliated with any other entity. The information I provide is on an "as-is" basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information on this blog. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. Furthermore, I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.