May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.

Devotion based on Psalm 90:17

“You can do anything you set your mind to.” This quote, often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, has been echoed in countless self-help books, whether they are about career goals, financial success, physical fitness, or strategies for winning on the field or court. It is repeated and rephrased in hundreds of commencement addresses every year.

But experience teaches us that it is not true. No matter how much we set our minds to it, few of us have the gifts to play in the NFL or win an Olympic gold medal. The greatest minds in the world may never find a cure for cancer or even a way to eliminate the flu or the common cold.

Psalm 90 is about the brevity of life in this world. Our mortality is a result of the sin in our hearts. Sin foolishly makes me think I can do whatever I set my mind to. I’m in charge. I call the shots. I am my own god. How arrogant!

Thankfully, God sent his Son, whose hands were gentle, to selflessly help us in our sinful arrogance. His hands accepted the guilt for our pride as they were stretched out on a cross to die. He showed those nail-pierced hands to his followers after he had defeated death and been raised to life. Now his hands are lifted up to bless us with his favor and forgiveness every day.

Because of the work of God’s hands, we use our hands not to serve ourselves, not to build our own kingdom that will just pass away, but to serve our eternal, loving God. We pray with Moses, “Establish the work of our hands for us.” Help us live a life that matters. Move our hands to scroll or page through your Word to see your favor and learn what love looks like. Move our hands to cling to your promises and not our achievements. Fold our hands in prayer for those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior. And extend our hands to help someone in need to show them the love of Jesus.

Prayer: