The bigger picture. . . .

 

On television, world leaders can look smug or confident, worried or perplexed, grim or determined. Their faces sometimes belie their words or reveal their hearts, yet do any of them read passages like this and take it to heart?

Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah (Psalm 49:7–15)

Everyone is terminal, even those who make a great mark in the world and their names are remembered for generations. As the Word of God says, we are like beasts that perish and those who want to ‘rule the world’ will eventually be overruled by the grave.

Why do I write about this? Because so many are watching the wars and rumors of wars with fear and trepidation, and just as many have shut their ears to all dangers and are not prepared for what may come. 

We have family living in tornado zones. People in such places prepare for the worst even as they hope for the best, but not all of them. Some assume they can ‘stick it out’ regarding hurricanes and such. Others assume they will always be okay, and have no plan if a tornado  or wildfire bears down on them.

Does this mean living in fear of what might happen? When our children were small, my hubby refused to let them ‘what if?’ But that does not include keeping property in good order, knowing where to go for shelter, buying a fire extinguisher, or preparing for retirement. Prudent people consider what could happen, do what is necessary, but are not obsessed or overcome by fear. Nor are they like some of our world leaders and billionaires who live as if they will never die.

The rest of the psalm speaks to those struggle with the shenanigans of the rich and powerful. Then only a page or so later, God tells me to focus on Jesus who died and then whose body began to breathe:

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49:16–20)

Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:22–23)

Thinking people who consider the realities of life — and death — and who want truth to govern their choices are the most apt to be shown what really matters. A saving relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ puts all of human ambition in its proper faith and puts my eyes on eternity. Yet even before doing that, He reminds me every day that trusting Him  means that I will also conquer death. No, money or anything else I might gain here will go with me, but when I go, I will spend eternity very much alive with my Savior.

PRAY: Jesus, these are good thoughts for a Monday morning and the challenges of the week ahead, and the challenges of watching the senseless sparring out there for power and more money and more stuff. I’m so thankful for eternal life and the great contentment that goes with it. Not only that, You provide every need and guide my steps through this complex maze of life on this messed up planet. One day all struggles and fears will vanish into the glories of eternal life!

Why are men happy? because they cleave to God. Why are men miserable? because they recede from God. It is then our own fault that we are miserable; God cannot be charged with any injustice if we be miserable, since his goodness gave means to prevent it, and afterwards added means to recover us from it, but all despised by us. — Charnock.