As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. Psalm 103:15
I am with my cousins for a memorial service for their mother. She was my last living aunt. Although she lived relatively long by contemporary standards, it seems that, as I get older myself, life is all too brief.
Like a flower. Beautiful for a brief time like the poppies currently in bloom. Then gone. Job, in his suffering, bemoans this (Job 14:2). Moses prays, So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
Jesus challenges us to trust Him for our daily needs (Matthew 6:25ff), instead of being anxious about life’s brevity or potential scarcity. He calls us little faith ones, not to chide us, but rather to give that little faith to Him, because that is all He needs with which to work. But seek first God’s kingdom and the things He says are right . . .
Despite the fragility of my life, O God, You value me. (Read Psalm 103.)
O LORD (Yahweh), I will bless You with all I am. Help me not to forget all Your benefits . . .
- You forgive all my iniquity.
- You heal disease.
- You redeem my life from that which would make less of it.
- You crown my life with Your steadfast love and compassion.
- You satisfy me with Your good, renewing me as though I were young again.
- You work what is right and just for those oppressed.
- You make Your ways known throughout the history of Your people.
- Compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, multiplying Your steadfast love . . .
- You do not contend with us, nor guard Your anger for a moment of revenge.
- You do not “do” with us according to our sins or repay us according to the wrongs we do.
- Your steadfast love is high, like the heavens above the earth, to those who fear You.
- You “make distant” our wrongs, like the distance between east to west.
- You show Your compassion, like a father his children, to those who fear You, because You know how fallible and feeble we are.
So help me recall that Your abundant steadfast love and compassion continue, unlike me. You do and give what is right not just to me, but to those dear to me, because they are dear to You.
May my mind focus not on my inadequacy, but on Your creative power and abundance. Develop in me an awe of You that also places in Your hands that little faith, faith to follow You and be known as Yours.
Thank You for my aunt and family. May I be a witness to Your provision of grace to all who will trust You.
Randy Jaspers
Northern Plains Regional Minister
