Finding Meaning in Our Work
In Psalm 90, Moses offers profound wisdom about our work, our lives, and our relationship with God. This ancient prayer provides timeless guidance for how we should view our labor and our existence in light of God’s eternal nature.
What Does Psalm 90 Teach Us About Our Purpose?
Moses begins by acknowledging God as our “dwelling place in all generations” and recognizes Him as the eternal Creator who existed “before the mountains were brought forth.” This perspective immediately places our brief lives in the context of God’s everlasting nature.
The psalm then moves through four key sections that help us understand our place in God’s world and how our work fits into His eternal plan.
Our Woe: Understanding Our Human Limitations
Moses begins by highlighting several sobering realities about our human condition:
We are created beings while God is the uncreated Creator
Our lives are fleeting: “You return man to dust”
Our reality is fickle and temporary: like “grass that is renewed in the morning” but “withers” by evening
Our lives are finite: “The years of our life are 70, or even by reason of strength, 80”
Our days are marked by “toil and trouble”
This humbling assessment reminds us that we “weren’t meant to do it all.” As Kelly Kathick wisely notes, “We must stop pretending we are infinite, learning instead to be faithful within our finitude.”
How Does Recognizing Our Limitations Lead to Wisdom?
Moses transitions from acknowledging our limitations to seeking wisdom: “So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
When we recognize our finite nature, we’re positioned to gain true wisdom. Our supposed “woes” actually lead us to see God more clearly. As one theologian put it, “None are as empty as those who are full of themselves.”‘
Wisdom isn’t just knowledge—it’s the practical application of knowledge. It comes from understanding our place in God’s world and recognizing that our brief lives are part of His eternal plan.
How Should We Respond to God’s Eternal Nature?
Our woes lead to wisdom, which naturally leads to worship. Moses writes:
“Return, O Lord, how long? Have pity on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad in all our days.”
When we truly understand our position before God, we can’t help but worship Him. This worship isn’t just singing songs on Sunday—it’s “a well-informed practice of faithful adoration in all things.”
True worship lifts our gaze from our temporary circumstances to God’s eternal nature. As John Calvin observed, “Our folly is that we foolishly imagine that we shall nestle in this world forever.” Worship helps us maintain an eternal perspective.
Why Does Our Work Matter to God?
The psalm concludes with a powerful request: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”
This final prayer reveals that our work matters deeply to God. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, lawyer, doctor, business owner, or retiree, your labor has eternal significance when done for God’s glory.
Our work isn’t just about earning a paycheck—it’s about participating in God’s ongoing work in the world. As 1 Corinthians 15:58 reminds us, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work in the Lord is not in vain.”
How Can We Find Meaning in Our Daily Work?
The key to finding meaning in our work is recognizing that it’s ultimately for God’s glory. When we understand that “whether you’re hanging Christmas lights or preaching the gospel on a Sunday morning, God can be glorified in all the things that we do,” our perspective on work changes dramatically.
Our work becomes an act of worship when we do it with excellence and with the right motivation. We’re not just working for a paycheck or recognition—we’re working as “laborers for the Master.”
Life Application
As you consider your own work this week, reflect on these questions:
Am I viewing my work primarily as a burden or as an opportunity to glorify God?
How can I “number my days” in a way that leads to wisdom rather than anxiety?
In what ways am I trying to “do it all” instead of being faithful within my limitations?
How can I make my daily work an act of worship?
This week, try approaching your work—whatever it may be—with this prayer from Psalm 90: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands.” Ask God to help you see your labor as part of His eternal plan and to find joy in serving Him through your daily tasks.
Remember that your worth isn’t found in your work but in your relationship with God. When we work from this foundation, even the most mundane tasks become meaningful contributions to God’s kingdom.
