Psalm 49

Psalm 49
If you live in this world, this psalm is for you! And so I guess that means all of us--low and high, rich and poor alike. vv. 1-2 It deals with two subjects: money and death. Most of us think quite a lot about money, but we would rather not think too much about death!

We should not feel intimidated by the rich and powerful. They may trust and boast in their wealth, but we know that it cannot buy eternal life. In reality it can't buy even an extra minute on this earth when God chooses to take us. Everyone dies, and everyone leaves his wealth and possessions behind.  No exceptions! v. 17 Further, every human being, like the beasts, is eventually forgotten. "A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish." v. 20

All this would be pretty bleak if we did not know the Lord. In fact, it is truly depressing for those without God. It seems that nearly every week we hear about some celebrity who takes his or her own life! This should tell us how fruitless it is to place all your hope in riches and fame. They are never enough!

Only God can give us real purpose and real peace. "But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself." We can't take our treasures with us, but we can send them on ahead if we are generous with others in the name of the Lord!

My hope is in the Lord
Who gave Himself for me
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.

No merit of my own
His anger to suppress,
My only hope is found in Jesus' righteousness.

And now for me He stands
Before the Father's throne;
He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.

His grace has planned it all,
'Tis mine but to believe
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.

Refrain:
For me He died; For me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.
                                                                               --Norman J. Clayton