February 12, 2017
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Our Only Hope

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Opening Prayer

Today, Lord, I want to give, tell and live Your gift through me to the world. Help me, Lord.

Read Psalm 49

[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 THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“There is a redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son, precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One” (Melody Green). (To listen to this beautiful song, go to YouTube, put “Keith Green There is a Redeemer” in the search bar, and you will find the recording.) Be blessed.

Rich or poor, famous or unknown, young or old, strong or weak and disabled… all people (1,2) stand equal before God. All face the same end (10). Here is the riddle the psalmist seeks to unravel (4).

Our world greatly values wealth and status. Even as God’s people, it is too easy to trust in our own material riches (6). Yet, here is a paradox. Those who, by implication, are not wealthy and powerful (6–10) can remain fearless in times of trouble (5)—because, in the end, it is not earthly wealth that saves anyone from death (16,17). God sees the distinctions differently: those who are “wise”; those who are “foolish” (10)—both will leave this earthly life. So, we do not need to be overawed by the powerful, the boastful, those whom our media idolize (13). But then, where is hope?

Beyond the apparent bleak storyline of this psalm, we find good news: wisdom and understanding (3,20); trust (6); ransom and redemption (7,15). Self-reliance ignores the reality of death. In such foolishness there is no security; instead the fatal absence of acknowledgment of God is revealed. But to place our trust in him is wisdom (3). Other people, even those who love us deeply, cannot buy off death. The word “ransom” (7) brings to mind the cost paid by Jesus for our redemption. How blessed we are! But even under the Old Covenant, the psalmist is confident in God, his Redeemer (15; cf. Job 19:25). As with other Old Testament characters, faith, trust and obedience are counted as righteousness (see Rom. 4:3; Heb. 11). Those who trust in God can be sure of seeing again “the light of life” (19)—and, on that basis, full of calm, bright hope for life here, whatever it may bring.

Apply

“Put your trust in God and use your money.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

Closing prayer

“Thank You, O my Father, for giving us Your Son, and leaving Your Spirit till the work on earth is done” (Melody Green).

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