Introduction
Psalm 90 stands out as a profound piece of spiritual poetry, distinct in its meditation on the human condition in relation to God’s eternity. Traditionally attributed to Moses, making it the oldest in the Psalter, this psalm offers a contemplative look at God’s infinity contrasted with human transience. It serves as a prayer for wisdom and mercy in the fleeting human life. Structure and Themes
Verses 1-2: God’s Eternity
The psalm opens by affirming God as a dwelling place throughout all generations, emphasizing His eternal nature. The imagery of God as both refuge and creator establishes a foundational contrast with the transient nature of human life.
Verses 3-6: Human Frailty
These verses vividly describe the brevity and fragility of human life. Humans are returned to dust, their lives are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning but fades by evening. This metaphorical language highlights the ephemeral quality of human existence when measured against divine timelessness.
Verses 7-11: Divine Wrath and Human Sin
The middle section of the psalm shifts focus to the reasons for human suffering and brevity of life, primarily sin and divine wrath. The intensity of God’s anger against sin is juxtaposed with human ignorance of their own frailty. A key verse, verse 10, quantifies human life as seventy or eighty years, filled with toil and trouble, illustrating the hardship that accompanies human existence.
Verses 12-17: A Prayer for Wisdom and Favor
The final section shifts from contemplation to supplication. Moses prays for wisdom to understand and number the fleeting days rightly, so that the people might gain a heart of wisdom. There’s a plea for God to have compassion, to reveal His deeds and glory, and to bless His people’s endeavors. The psalm closes with a yearning for the gracious favor of the Lord our God to be upon the work of human hands, a prayer that echoes through the ages for all who labor and seek divine blessing.
I. Interpretation and Application
The Transcience vs. Eternity Dichotomy
Psalm 90 challenges the reader to confront their mortality and the transience of life on earth. This realization is meant to foster a greater dependence on God, whose eternal nature provides stability and refuge against life's impermanence.
Human Suffering and Divine Displeasure
The acknowledgment of divine wrath as a response to sin presents a theological assertion that human suffering is not meaningless but has moral and spiritual dimensions. This awareness should lead to a repentant heart and a reorientation towards Godly living.
Wisdom in Numbering Our Days
Perhaps one of the most poignant prayers of the psalm is the request to "number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom." This suggests that a conscious awareness of our mortality can lead us to live more meaningfully, prioritizing what is eternally significant over temporary desires.
Divine Favor on Human Efforts
The closing verses reflect a deep desire for the enduring impact of one’s life and work. This plea for God to establish the work of our hands resonates with anyone who strives to make their short life count for something lasting.
Psalm 90 is a profound meditation on the human condition, highlighting our fragility and the brevity of our life in light of God's eternal nature. It offers a sobering reminder of our need for God’s wisdom and mercy, encouraging a life lived with eternal perspectives in mind. By reflecting on this psalm, believers are invited to cultivate a deeper appreciation for each day granted by God, to live wisely and righteously, and to seek the eternal significance in their earthly endeavors.
II. Living Through Spiritually Dry Seasons: Biblical Insights and Guidance
Spiritual dryness, or the sensation of being distanced from God’s presence, is a common experience in the life of a believer. Such periods are characterized by a lack of spiritual fervor, difficulty in prayer, and a sense of emptiness when engaging with Scripture or worship. These moments can be distressing, but they are not unique to modern believers alone. The Bible is replete with stories and psalms that reflect the struggles of those who have walked through their own spiritual deserts. This essay explores how Scripture addresses these spiritually arid times and offers guidance on navigating them.
One of the most vivid descriptions of spiritual dryness in the Bible is found in Psalm 42, where the psalmist poetically voices his profound thirst for God: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" (Psalm 42:1-2). The imagery of panting after water powerfully expresses the psalmist’s intense longing for God amidst spiritual dryness. This Psalm reassures us that feeling distant from God is part of the human experience and encourages believers to earnestly seek Him despite the seeming absence.
Another biblical figure who experienced a profound spiritual drought was Elijah. After his remarkable victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled into the wilderness under the threat of Queen Jezebel. Alone and despondent, he wished for death, saying, "I have had enough, Lord," (1 Kings 19:4). Yet, it was in this moment of utter depletion that God met Elijah not in dramatic displays of power but in a gentle whisper. This narrative teaches that God’s presence is not confined to feelings of spiritual exuberance but is also profoundly near in the quiet, unremarkable moments of our desolation.
The book of Job offers another profound insight into enduring seasons of spiritual dryness. Job’s experience of loss and suffering was compounded by a sense of divine silence. Despite his lamentations and pleadings, God seemed distant and unresponsive for much of Job’s ordeal. Yet, Job maintained his faith, choosing to trust God’s wisdom despite his circumstances and lack of emotional consolation. Job’s story culminates in a deeper revelation of God’s sovereignty and goodness, reminding believers that our understanding of divine purposes is limited and that faith sometimes calls for trust beyond emotional affirmation.
In the New Testament, we see the Apostle Paul addressing spiritual dryness through the lens of perseverance and purpose. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul speaks about his "thorn in the flesh," a metaphor that might encompass physical ailments, spiritual struggles, or emotional burdens. Paul’s request for relief from this thorn is denied, with God responding, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul’s reflection that he will "boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me" offers a powerful paradigm for believers: God’s grace and power manifest even in, or especially in, our weaknesses and spiritual dryness.
For believers walking through spiritually dry seasons, these biblical insights offer both comfort and directives:
Acknowledge the Dryness: Like the Psalmist and Elijah, openly express your spiritual state to God. Authenticity in prayer fosters a deeper relationship with God.
Seek God’s Presence: Continually seek God through His Word, prayer, and fellowship, trusting that He is near even when He feels far.
Embrace Dependence on God: Recognize that spiritual dryness can lead to a greater dependency on God’s strength and grace,
III. Five Ways to Overcome Spiritual Dryness:
Spiritual dryness can be a disheartening experience, marked by a lack of enthusiasm in faith practices, feeling distant from God, and an absence of joy in spiritual disciplines. However, throughout the Bible, we find not only examples of godly men and women who experienced similar struggles but also guidance on how to navigate and overcome these arid seasons. Here are five ways, grounded in Scripture, that can help believers rejuvenate their spiritual life and reconnect with God.
1. Intensify Prayer Life: Prayer is often the first line of defense against spiritual dryness. When the soul feels parched, prayer becomes not just a routine but a cry for revival. In Luke 18:1, Jesus told his disciples a parable "to show them that they should always pray and not give up." This underscores the importance of persistence in prayer, especially during spiritual lows. The Psalms also offer a model for how raw and honest these prayers can be. Psalm 42, for instance, illustrates the psalmist’s deep yearning for God amidst feelings of abandonment. Prayer, then, is not just asking God for restoration but also expressing our deepest fears and frustrations, allowing our spirit to be vulnerable before Him.
2. Engage with Scripture: During times of spiritual drought, the Word of God is like water to a thirsty soul. It not only refreshes but also revitalizes our understanding of God’s character and His promises. Romans 15:4 reminds us that "everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Regularly engaging with Scripture can rekindle hope and provide new insights that speak into our condition. This might involve a change in how we approach the Bible—perhaps moving from a mere reading plan to a more meditative or contemplative reading that allows for deeper reflection and application.
3. Seek Communal Support: God did not design us to walk our spiritual journey alone. The community of faith plays a crucial role in helping us through our dry spells. Galatians 6:2 instructs believers to "carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." By being transparent with a trusted group of fellow believers, we can find support, accountability, and encouragement. Engaging in corporate worship, small group discussions, or spiritual mentorship can provide the external encouragement needed to persist in faith.: The sacraments—such as communion and baptism—are means of grace instituted by Christ. They serve as tangible reminders of God’s promises and our participation in the divine life. Likewise, other spiritual disciplines such as fasting, silence, and solitude can facilitate a deeper awareness of God's presence. These practices help to strip away the noise and distractions of everyday life, refocusing our hearts and minds on the spiritual realities that sustain our faith.
5. Rest and Reflection: Finally, overcoming spiritual dryness sometimes requires physical and mental rest. Elijah’s experience in 1 Kings 19 demonstrates that exhaustion can lead to spiritual lethargy. After providing food and rest for Elijah, God spoke to him in a gentle whisper. This highlights the need for physical care as part of spiritual well-being. Additionally, taking time for reflection can help discern underlying reasons for spiritual dryness—be it unconfessed sin, unresolved anger, or simply the trials of life.
Spiritual dryness is not a permanent state, nor is it a sign of failure in one’s faith journey. By intensifying prayer, engaging deeply with Scripture, seeking communal support, embracing sacraments and disciplines, and ensuring adequate rest and reflection, believers can find their way back to spiritual vitality. Each of these steps, deeply rooted in biblical wisdom, offers a pathway that leads us closer to God, even though the driest desert.
IV. Understanding Spiritually Dry Seasons: Purpose and Growth in the Wilderness
Spiritual dryness, often described as a period of feeling disconnected from God, lacking joy in religious practices, or finding no satisfaction in activities that once felt spiritually fulfilling, is a common experience among believers. These seasons can be puzzling and distressing, leaving many to wonder why such droughts occur in their spiritual journey. However, spiritually dry seasons can serve significant purposes in our growth and development as followers of Christ. This essay explores several reasons why these seasons occur and how they can be instrumental in deepening one's faith.
1. To Develop Spiritual Maturity: One primary reason for experiencing spiritual dryness is to foster spiritual maturity. Just as physical muscles are developed through resistance, spiritual muscles are strengthened through challenges. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." Spiritually dry seasons are such trials where perseverance must be practiced. These periods force believers to walk by faith rather than by sight or feeling, relying on the knowledge of God's character and His promises rather than the fluctuating emotions of the soul.
2. To Realign Our Dependence on God: Spiritual dryness often reveals how much one’s faith depends on emotional experiences rather than on God Himself. These seasons strip away the emotional highs associated with spiritual experiences, pushing believers to seek God for who He is, not for the feelings He provides. This realignment focuses our faith on God's unchanging nature rather than our changeable emotions, as highlighted in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
3. To Cultivate Deeper Roots in Faith: Dry seasons can drive believers to deepen their roots in faith, much like a tree extends its roots deeper into the soil in search of water during a drought. This search often leads to a more profound and personal understanding of Scripture and a more disciplined prayer life. As believers dig deeper into their faith, they often discover new truths and gain fresh insights that were previously unnoticed when spiritual experiences felt more readily accessible. This depth provides a sturdier foundation, as Ephesians 3:17-18 expresses the hope that believers, "being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."
4. To Identify and Address Hidden Sins or Barriers: Spiritual dryness can also serve as a reflective time to identify and address sins or other barriers that may be hindering one's relationship with God. Psalm 139:23-24 is a call for this kind of reflection: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Sometimes, God uses the discomfort of spiritual dryness to bring attention to areas of our lives that require repentance or renewal.
5. To Enhance Our Compassion and Ministry to Others: Finally, experiencing spiritual dryness can enhance our ability to empathize with and minister to others going through similar struggles. Having walked through the desert ourselves, we can better sit beside others in their dry seasons with genuine understanding and compassion. 2 Corinthians 1:4 explains that God "comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Summary: Spiritually dry seasons, while challenging, are not without purpose. They promote spiritual maturity, realign our dependence on God, cultivate deeper faith, reveal hidden sins, and enhance our compassion towards others. By embracing and navigating these periods with intentionality and reflection, believers can emerge from them spiritually refreshed and strengthened, with a renewed sense of purpose and intimacy with God.
