James 1:9-11; Psalm 136:10-26

James 1:9-11
Christianity brings a new dignity to the poor. Riches mean nothing to God! After all, it's all His anyway, and what's here today can easily be gone tomorrow. vv. 10-11 We should find no class distinctions in the church. Jesus died for each of us, and not one of us did anything to deserve it. We are all unworthy sinners, and not one person in the world is rich enough to buy God's favor. It cannot be bought, but is offered freely to us through God's grace.

Our true wealth comes in developing our spiritual lives. This is what will last for eternity. We should strive to have the same values God has. If He is not impressed with material wealth, why should we be? And remember that we can be obsessed with money and material things even if we don't have any!

Psalm 136:10-26
This psalm may have been a song or responsive reading in which the leader read or sang the first part of the phrase and the people answered, "His faithful love endures forever."

vv. 10-24 review Israel's history, and each memory is followed by the refrain, "His faithful love endures forever." The chapter ends with the following encouragement.
"He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever."

I have thought of the refrain often in the last few days. When worries or anxieties crop up, this is a comforting thought, "His faithful love endures forever."