13 Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. 16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. 17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands.

This Psalm is commonly attributed to Moses as he prayed for himself and for the people of God. Most likely it was written near the end of his life and thus near the end of the journey for the Israelites as they made their way to the land of Canaan. They had often transgressed against God who had only done them good. He had provided for them food, water and protection. He had given them his laws and made them his special people. He had shown them his power repeatedly in many different ways. They had even seen a glimpse of his glory as he revealed himself to Moses on the mountain. Yet, in spite of all this, they had turned from him, doubted him, tested him and even argued with him on many occasions. He had brought punishment on them several times; and with each they would repent and return to him.

Moses has praised God and extolled his virtues and his greatness. He now pleads with him to bless his people. But Moses understood that the greatest blessing that could be given was for God to work in and among his people. It is only when God is given free reign in hearts and lives that his people are happy and filled with peace.

So it is with us today. The more we yield to God and his will in our lives; the more we pray for his Holy Spirit to work in us and open our hearts to his bidding the more we find the joy, peace and contentment that eludes the world which so fervently pursues it. This fulfillment of life is not to be found by our own wisdom or righteousness but rather is found only in the wisdom that comes from above and which produces the Spirit’s fruit in our lives. We are given free access to all of this in Jesus Christ. He has been punished in his death for our sin and raised so that we can be justified and counted as righteous before our God. What more could we ask?

O God, I thank you for your loving grace and the forgiveness it provides. I know I am weak and that I have sinned against you so many times. I thank you for your continued forgiveness and only ask that my heart be melted by your love and my life molded by your Spirit so that I can be more like you. Use me to glorify your name by sharing with others the love and forgiveness you have shown to me. Help me to be kind, compassionate and at peace with those around me. Bless this article to your glory. In Jesus’ name.