Flower of the Field, or Beneficiaries of His Love? Psalms 102-104

 Psalms 103:15-19 (ESV)

As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,

and his righteousness to children's children,

to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments.

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all.

In this song the writer is continuing the contrast between the human existence and the mighty power of God.  It has just been stated that man is but dust (vs 14).   Now the writer continues by reminding us that we are but the grass of the field, or the flower of the field.   When mere wind passes over the flower is gone.    That is the brevity of our lives.   Perhaps seventy years, or maybe eighty by reason of strength, another Psalm states:

Psalms 90:10 (ESV)

The years of our life are seventy,

or even by reason of strength eighty;

yet their span is but toil and trouble;

they are soon gone, and we fly away.

We live our lives like we will live forever.  Yet, we are so, so brief on this planet.  In contrast, God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting.   Our relationship with Him can be the same.   But, when we focus on our own brief lives, we miss the power and the might of the kingdom of God.   His kingdom is forever and is established in the heavens.  He rules over us all.   Why we insist on accumulating and acquiring substance from this world is so foolish as compared to the spiritual blessings God promises for us in His kingdom.  When we live for us we are the flower in the field.   When we live for Him we are beneficiaries of His everlasting love.