Happy New Year: Reflections on Our Finiteness and God's Favor

As we begin a new year, here are some reflections from Psalm 90.

First, verse 12 culminates a stanza about the fleeting time of humans on earth-- 70, maybe 80 years....springing up like new grass in the morning, but fading away by evening. Verse 12 says:

"Teach us to number our days so we can have a wise heart."

Numbering our days prevents us from the lofty deception that we have no limits. A new year is not about imagining endless possibilities; it's first about confessing our finiteness. We are bounded. One more year has gone from us. We do not know how many remain. Numbering our days reminds us that we are finite.

But the Psalm goes on. Verse 17 culminates a stanza praying for God's mercy to be evident, for His "faithful love" to "fill us in the morning" so we "can rejoice and celebrate our whole life long." Verse 17 says:

"Let the kindness of the Lord our God be over us. Make the work of our hands last. Make the work of our hands last!"

Though we are finite, that is not all there is to the story. God works in the midst of our finiteness. God alone can make our feeble work in our finite years....last. Last beyond our years. Last beyond our own limitations.

As you begin a new year, may we confess our finiteness and pray for God's favor, so that in all things Christ will be glorified.

Amen.