Who Wants to Live Forever?
Opening Prayer
I praise You, Lord, for You are a wise and good God. There is no other who compares to You!
Read Psalm 49:1-20
[1] For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, [2] both low and high, rich and poor alike: [3] My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. [4] I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: [5] Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me- [6] those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? [7] No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them- [8] the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough- [9] so that they should live on forever and not see decay. [10] For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. [11] Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. [12] People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. [13] This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. [14] They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. [15] But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. [16] Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; [17] for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. [18] Though while they live they count themselves blessed- and people praise you when you prosper- [19] they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. [20] People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What good is a person's wealth in the end?Death seems to be the last thing we talk about. We use alternative words because somehow it hides the pain of the loss of loved ones. Thinking about death is vital, however, because it gives us a realistic reminder of how to live and of what matters in life. Rich or poor, famous or anonymous, the fate of all humanity is the same—everyone dies (2). It is as we consider the question of what’s next after death that this psalm comes to life and brings hope. Our tendency is always to look at the here and now—the successful and rich—to seek to be like them. Their ultimate destiny is also to perish. Look again at vs. 10-14 and think about the images the psalmist uses. Those who trust in the Lord do not see death as the end. Instead they look beyond death to an eternity made possible only by trusting God in this life. How easily we can be fooled into the temporary pleasures of this world rather than the permanent rewards of the next (2 Cor. 5:1-5)!
Apply
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). Ask God to help you to live like that this week.
Closing prayer
Lord, keep my heart and mind focused on You despite all the distractions of this life that would pull me away.
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