It Starts Small

¹⁰ Your cheeks are beautiful with jewelry,
your neck with its necklace.

Songs 1:10

The Groom’s description of the bride transcends mere poetry; it is an intimate tapestry woven from the threads of his admiration. He cherishes every exquisite detail—her flushed cheeks, graceful neck, and the delicate adornments she chooses to wear—all captured with a lover’s gaze. His words pulse with fervor, reflecting deep admiration, heartfelt care, and profound intentionality. This is far from vanity; it is a celebration of her worth. She is far from invisible to him; she is a radiant goddess, shining brightly in his eyes.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us;
establish for us the work of our hands—
establish the work of our hands!

Psalms 90:17

This Psalm is a fervent prayer for the beauty of the Lord to reside deeply within us—not just a superficial beauty, but a transformative presence that defines our purpose and impact in the world. God’s grace adorns us magnificently. When He gazes upon His children, He doesn’t perceive failure; instead, He sees an abundance of favor. His love envelops us with dignity and honor. Theologically, this resonates with imputed righteousness. We are clothed not in our own merit but draped in the radiant glory of Christ. The bride, much like the church, is embellished with grace—not for the sake of impressing others, but to vividly express the joy of God. His love envelops us in holiness and calls forth our inherent worth.

Psychologically, countless individuals internalize feelings of shame about their appearance or presence—especially when they have faced neglect or harsh criticism. Yet, in moments where we are seen through the eyes of love and wrapped in words of kindness, a powerful transformation occurs. Self-image begins to thrive, not on the fickle standards of society, but on the solid foundation of divine affirmation. Neuroscience confirms this truth: words of affirmation hold the power to rewire neural pathways. When loving, truthful statements are consistently spoken and embraced, they create profound emotional anchors within us. God’s Word accomplishes this magnificently—it reconstructs what the world has shattered, breathing life into our very souls.

Today, let these words be your fervent mirror. You are a radiant masterpiece – not crafted for mere display or competition – but because the Divine Artisan rejoices in you. His boundless grace is the essence of your beauty, and your existence is a vibrant reflection of His glorious light.

Journal Prompts:

• What voices or experiences have shaped how you see yourself physically or emotionally?
• How does God’s description challenge, confront, or comfort those beliefs?

Practical Steps and Application:

1. Look in the mirror today and declare Psalm 90:17 over yourself.
2. Write down one negative belief about your appearance or value and replace it with God’s truth.
3. Reflect on one way God has “adorned” your life with grace.

Deeper Introspection:

Read Psalm 90, Proverbs 3:34, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 15:58.

¹ Lord, you have been our refuge
in every generation.
² Before the mountains were born,
before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from eternity to eternity, you are God.

³ You return mankind to the dust,
saying, “Return, descendants of Adam.”
⁴ For in your sight a thousand years
are like yesterday that passes by,
like a few hours of the night.
⁵ You end their lives; they sleep.
They are like grass that grows in the morning—
⁶ in the morning it sprouts and grows;
by evening it withers and dries up.

⁷ For we are consumed by your anger;
we are terrified by your wrath.
⁸ You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
⁹ For all our days ebb away under your wrath;
we end our years like a sigh.
¹⁰ Our lives last seventy years
or, if we are strong, eighty years.
Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow;
indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away.
¹¹ Who understands the power of your anger?
Your wrath matches the fear that is due you.
¹² Teach us to number our days carefully
so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.

¹³ Lord—how long?
Turn and have compassion on your servants.
¹⁴ Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love
so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.
¹⁵ Make us rejoice for as many days as you have humbled us,
for as many years as we have seen adversity.
¹⁶ Let your work be seen by your servants,
and your splendor by their children.
¹⁷ Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us;
establish for us the work of our hands—
establish the work of our hands!

Psalm 90.

³⁴ He mocks those who mock
but gives grace to the humble.

Proverbs 3:34

⁸ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Psalm 90:17 is a powerful, concluding prayer in a psalm that meditates on human frailty and God’s eternal nature. It’s a request for God’s blessing and permanence on our fleeting human efforts. Here are some journal prompts to help you reflect on this verse.

Reflecting on your daily work

• The work of our hands: What kind of “work” are your hands doing every day? This can include your job, but also parenting, serving others, creative pursuits, and household chores. Reflect on your daily tasks and how you can offer them to God.
• A prayer for purpose: Do you ever feel like your work is temporary or meaningless? Write a prayer asking God to “establish the work of your hands” so that your efforts will have lasting significance for his kingdom.
• Aligning your efforts with God’s will: Examine the motives behind your hard work. Are you striving for personal recognition, or for God’s glory? How can you align your daily tasks and big ambitions with God’s eternal purposes?

Reflecting on God’s favor

• What does favor look like? The verse asks for the “favor of the Lord our God to rest on us.” In your journal, describe what you imagine God’s favor to look and feel like in your life right now. Is it a feeling of peace, a new opportunity, or simply the strength to get through the day?
• Favor through humility: In the Bible, God’s favor is often connected to a humble heart (Proverbs 3:34) and grace that is not earned (Ephesians 2:8–9). Meditate on these verses and write about what it means to receive God’s unmerited favor.
• Blessing for others: The purpose of God’s favor is not just for our own benefit, but so that we can be a blessing to others. Write about the ways you can use the blessings and establishment of your work to serve and bless those around you.

Prompts based on supporting scriptures

• The contrast of eternity: The previous verses in Psalm 90 emphasize God’s eternal nature and the shortness of human life. Read Psalm 90:1–11 and journal about how contemplating your own mortality makes you appreciate the eternal significance of God’s work in your life.
• Work with lasting purpose: In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul writes, “…your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Write about how this New Testament promise is the ultimate answer to Moses’ prayer in Psalm 90. How does the resurrection of Jesus give you confidence that your work for God will be established forever?
• Seeking wisdom: Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Connect this verse to verse 17 by journaling about how having a wise perspective on the brevity of life motivates you to ask God to establish your efforts.

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