Eternal Perspective

Mark Scott Mark Scott has been on staff with Cru since 1999. He met his wife Jocelyn at a Cru meeting at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. They got married in 1994 and have three children Joy, William and Jack. Mark loves New Jersey and loves college students!

PASSAGE | Psalm 39

Psalm 39:1-13 ESV

[1] I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” [2] I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. [3] My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: [4] “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! [5] Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah [6] Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! [7] “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. [8] Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool! [9] I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it. [10] Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand. [11] When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah [12] “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. [13] Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What do you love about life?
Have you ever been a guest of someone in another country or culture? What was it like?
How do we keep an eternal perspective while still caring and engaging with our world?
Read Mark 13:32-37. What does it mean to stay awake?
What are some things that excite you about heaven?