A Prayer to Live Wisely

A text message from my son said “Before you read my next message, I am fine.” From that I knew he was alive and compos mentis but also that something had happened. It was one of those occasions where we reflect on living wisely.

Riding his bike in a dedicated bike lane on the way home from work in LA, a car crossed the bike lane to turn. The driver had not looked or seen my son. Unable to stop in time, my son slammed into the side of the car. He ended up off his bike and on the road. He was grazed from his shoulder to his elbow. He sent a photo. He otherwise looked and sounded fine. I’m sure he was suffering from shock too.

Realizing this incident could have been much worse, I was thankful my son was in one piece. This “mamma bear” let go of her anger with the driver who drove off without stopping. Her “cub” was okay. 

I’d been pondering on the words of Moses in Psalm 90 when I got my son’s message. I feel Moses might have written this Psalm after the incident above. It is as if he had been the one on the bike. 

The Psalm is rather sobering, which initially made me hesitant to write about it. It discusses the frailty of life, a topic we often prefer not to acknowledge. Yet, if you’ve ever had a close encounter with death, it will resonate. This could be in a road accident, a difficult diagnosis, or through the loss of a family member or friend. We are all reminded to express appreciation when taking our next breath.

So what comfort, strength, and knowledge can we find from Psalm 90, as verse 12 says, to live wisely?

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

To begin with, Moses meditates on the eternal presence of God. And so should we too. 

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God (Psalm 90:-2).

But more than that, let’s remember God is not only everlasting, but his love, care, and protection is eternal too. The Psalms often talk about God as a “refuge,” offering shelter for humanity.

In comparison we are fragile. Our skin gets grazed easily. Our bones are breakable. Our hearts too. Sometimes they miss a beat or they just stop beating altogether for many reasons. 

Moses could have written this verse today!

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures;

yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away (Psalm 90:10).

Yet at the same time our bodies, minds and spirits never cease to be a wonder. Skin, bones and hearts heal, though often with scars. We are amazing compositions created by a loving God.

So, as we contemplate on our days ahead, let’s take the second half of Psalm 90. This is Moses’ prayer. Let’s make it our prayer to live wisely.

1. Wake each morning and be satisfied.

Pray: Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we’ll skip and dance all the day long (Psalm 90:14 MSG).

2. Find something to celebrate each day.

Pray: Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days (Psalm 90:14)

3. Be glad and thankful, even if it’s one small thing, whatever your circumstances.

Pray: Make up for the bad times with some good times; we’ve seen enough evil to last a lifetime (Psalm 90:15 MSG)

4. Be determined to see God’s work. Delight in the splendor of a sunrise. Marvel at a newborn baby. Enjoy the meal on the table. Be aware of God working in your life. Notice those critical seconds. They made a difference between slamming the side of the car and being under it. See this as God at work protecting us.

Pray: Let your servants see what you’re best at— the ways you rule and bless your children (Psalm 90:16 MSG). 

5. Rest knowing we live in the time of God’s grace and mercy.

Pray: And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us (Psalm 90:17 MSG).

Use the prayer below and leave a comment – what are you thankful for today?

Pray