2. My Span of Years
Psalm 39

3. My Span of Years - Psalm 39
Not New Years Sermon, but thinking about years, times past, present, & future.
Interesting Ideas from Psalms…
Some forward looking 65:11 “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.”
Some look back, like 77:5 “I thought about the former days, the years of long ago.”
Different perspectives…

4. My Span of Years - Psalm 39
90:4 “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.”
102:24, “So I said: “Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.”
(27), “But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”
(39:5) “...the span of my years…”

5. My Span of Years - Psalm 39 Smallness, insignificance, unimportance???
That’s NOT David’s message!
There ARE various ways to look at the passage of time past, present, or future.
Religion Newswriters (RNA) top stories of the year Poll:
#1. Christians in the Trump Whitehouse.
#2. White Supremacists & Antifa clash.
#3. Travel Ban & fight with Isis

6. My Span of Years - Psalm 39
#4. Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israels capital, many praise and many object.
#5. Buddhists drive 500,000 Muslim Rohingya from Myanmar to Bangladesh.
#6. Gunman killed 26 at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
#7. Roy Moore wins AL primary, accused of misconduct long ago, defeated in election
#8. Conservatives put on Federal Courts.
#9. NFL Anthem protests, statues removed.
#10. Reformation 500th Anniversary.

7. My Span of Years - Psalm 39 A.P. Top stories:
#1 Sexual misconduct scandals galore.
#2 Trump controversies on everything.
#3. 58 Killed, hundreds wounded in Vegas.
#4. Three hurricanes in 4 weeks, many killed, much devastation and damage.
#5. North Korea threatens nuclear attacks.
#6. Mueller investigates for collusion with Russia, no evidence yet.

8. My Span of Years - Psalm 39 #7. Obamacare not repealed by GOP.
#8. Tax overhaul with no Dem votes.
#9. Terror attacks Istanbul, England, NYC, Spain, Somalia, & Egypt.
#10. Isis lost almost all it’s territory, cells elsewhere continue attacks
#What Differences in Point of View!!
Guam #5 story 140+ clergy sex abuse cases.
Is ‘the world better now than ever?’

9. My Span of Years - Psalm 39
Yes, says O. Burkeman & M. Norberg - measuring 9 indicators of human flourishing
90% of USA say world poverty worse, but is is at the lowest it’s ever been.
Child mortality down 50% in past 30 years.
300,000 get electricity every day.
Global lifespan 31 in 1900, now at 71!
Violent crime lowest rate in 50 years.
“This is my Fathers world”, God still reigns.

10. My Span of Years - Psalm 39 David knew of varying points of view.
39:1-4 “I” & “my” used 6/7 times – selfish!
4-6 some me & my but LORD & you 10 X!
7-11 more to God (10x), God point of view!
12 ‘you hear/not deaf/I dwell with YOU!
13 world view shifted to “You, LORD”
Selfishness huge pain in our society.
Lots of good advice for all!
We must focus on God and Serve others!