Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Psalms

Psalms 
Day 
Day 130

Psalm 78:33 "In futility, and... in fear."

Day 130 – Psalm 78

“In futility, and… in fear.” Psalm 78:33

OUR LIFE ON EARTH

How long is our lifespan on earth? Different psalmists have tried to describe this very brief life we have. King David had these thoughts to share.

“Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths,
And my age is as nothing before You…”
Psalm 39:5a,b

The psalmist Asaph noted with some sadness how the children of Israel virtually wasted their life. They achieved nothing of significance in their journey from Egypt to Canaan. Forty years of life came and went with nothing to show for it.

“Therefore their days He consumed in futility,
And their years in fear.”
Psalm 78:33

1. “Therefore”

Two parts must be borne in mind. They are closely inter-related.

a) Man’s part… to believe in God or to reject Him.
b) God will respond in correspondence to our faith or unbelief.

2. “Their days”

a) Forty years may seem like a lifetime.
b) But they are merely “days” in God’s sight.

3. He consumed them

a) Many lost their lives because of their rebellion against God.
b) Precious lives were placed at great risk because of stubbornness of heart.
c) They were all consumed… ultimately.

4. The wilderness years

a) Their years were spent in futility.
b) Their years were spent in fear.

What an absolute waste of precious time. So much could have been attempted and achieved if only the heart could have believed in God. Surely faith was not that hard to find because of the wondrous works of God! But faith was set aside in favour of evil unbelief with grave consequences.