The Eternal Sovereignty of God and the Brevity of Human Life
The scriptures offer a profound reflection on the nature of human existence and the eternal power of the Creator. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. In contrast to this eternal nature, the scriptures describe the limited span of human life.
The Measure of Our Days
According to the Word, there is a defined length to our earthly journey. The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. As the English Standard Version states, "The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away."
The following table compares how various translations describe the span and nature of human life as recorded in Psalm 90:10:
| Bible Translation | Lifespan Description | Nature of the Years |
|---|---|---|
| New Living Translation | Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. | Filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear. |
| Christian Standard Bible | Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. | Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow. |
| New American Standard Bible | As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years. | Their pride is only trouble and tragedy. |
| Contemporary English Version | We can expect seventy years, or maybe eighty, if we are healthy. | Even our best years bring trouble and sorrow. |
The Sovereignty and Majesty of the Creator
While human life is fleeting, the power of the Lord is absolute and unchanging. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. We must remember that "for a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night." The Lord’s ways are beyond human comprehension: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
His creative power is evidenced in all things: Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. The Lord is the one who formed the earth and established it, and "the earth is full of his unfailing love."
The Authority of Jesus Christ
The scriptures further reveal that all authority has been concentrated in Christ. Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." This divine plan was purposed "to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." Consequently, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." While "heaven and earth will pass away," Jesus promises that "my words will never pass away."
Living with an Eternal Perspective
Given the brevity of life and the coming judgment, believers are encouraged to focus on spiritual priorities. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. We are reminded that "the day of the Lord will come like a thief," and the elements will be destroyed by fire. Therefore, "what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives." Through all circumstances, we can say: My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.