Monday: From the Power of the Grave
Read Psalm 49:1-20. What led the psalmist to be so sure of his final resurrection (Psalm 49:15) in contrast to those who perished without that assurance (Psalm 49:6-14)?
Psalm 49:1-20 speaks about the false confidence of the foolish “who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches” (Psalm 49:6, NKJV), who “call their lands after their own names” (Psalm 49:11, NKJV), and who live only to bless themselves (Psalm 49:18). They act as if their houses and their own glory would last forever (Psalm 49:11, Psalm 49:17).
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
But the foolish forget that their honor vanishes and that they perish just as the beasts do (Psalm 49:12, NKJV). “Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; … and their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling” (Psalm 49:14, NKJV).
As stated by Job centuries earlier, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart” (Job 1:21, NIV; 1 Timothy 6:7). The psalmist points out that both the fool and the wise die, leaving “their wealth to others” (Psalm 49:10, NKJV).
But there is a radical contrast between them. On one side are the fools who perish, even though trying to find assurance in their own transient possessions and accomplishments. In contrast, the wise behold, beyond the human saga and the prison of the grave, the glorious reward that God has reserved for them (1 Peter 1:4). With this perception in mind, the psalmist could say with confidence, “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me” (Psalm 49:15, NKJV).
Consistent with the Old Testament hope, this statement is not suggesting that at the time of his death the soul of the psalmist would fly immediately into heaven. The psalmist is simply saying that he would not remain forever in the grave. A time would come when God would redeem him from death and take him to the heavenly courts.
Once again, the certainty of the future resurrection is depicted, bringing hope, assurance, and meaning to this present existence. So, the wise will receive a far more glorious and everlasting reward than what the foolish could gather for themselves during this short life.
| What are the ways that you have been able to see the folly of those who trust in their own wealth and and accomplishments? How can keeping your eyes on the cross protect you from falling into the same error? |
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What led the author of Psalms to have confidence in his final resurection. 1st let's go back to Psalms 40:8. David said I delight to do thy will Oh God. And your law is written on my heart. Now turning to Psalms 49:1-20. My thoughts are that he had put his trust in God rather than riches, before he made the statement in chapter 49 verse 15. therefore he was given the confidence. To verbalize his confidence in God. And confidence to warn us of the consequences of going our own selfish way.
Is it wrong to have a glorious reward? No, as long as we have enough love for God to delight to do His will.
Not far from here is an old train track that used to serve one of the outer suburbs of Newcastle and a coal mine. The coal mine is no longer productive and the residents of the suburb prefer to clutter up their roads with cars than take a rattly old train into town (for the record, it used to be a great train journey). Now it is a combined walking/cycling track (and for the record, it is a great track). One of the highlights of this track is a tunnel. It is dark and it has a bend in it so you cannot see the other end when you walk into it. I have walked through this tunnel and it evokes the usual feelings of a closed space; apprehension, a little fear, and a bit of a jump when cold water from above hits the back of your neck. Yet I walk through the tunnel with confidence because I have seen the map. I know there is an exit up ahead. I know there is a bend in the tunnel that hides the exit.
I am not saying that the journey through life is as easy as walking through a train tunnel. The tunnel of life is a lot longer and there is no turning back. And the bend in the corner that is hiding the exit is taking a lot longer to negotiate than we thought it would when we read the map.
Richness and fame do not guarantee a successful passage through the tunnel either. And while we look forward in confidence to the hoped-for exit, we have a current task to attend to. There are others beside us in the tunnel who do not have our confidence and who are fearful and/or resigned to the notion that they will die in the tunnel. We need to extend a helping hand and share a light for them to see. Maybe we cannot show them the end of the tunnel, but they can see that they are fellow travelers with people of hope and encouragement.
"...the wise ...receive....the foolish...gather for themselves..." ~from the last paragraph of today's lesson
Sometimes I imagine if I had a lot of money how nice it would be to do extra for others. Really help the homeless in my town. Make a difference for kids in revolutionizing education. Pay off debts for people, like crazy-high medical bills. Create new centers of opportunities and funded networks everywhere. Leave so much beauty and hope.
Money can do this, but Psalm 49:6-9 reminds me that money does not fix or solve the most important bits. Redeeming a soul (Ps.49:7). Only Jesus can do/did that. Only God's Power. Physical needs of this life are transient, like the beautiful leaves falling off the trees in New England right now. When the juicy season is over, the tree needs nourishment from only its roots and reserves. When people's juicy season is over (or maybe never was), that little sunspot full of light and sweetness gone, they understand that what they need is deeper, unseen. What we all really hunger and thirst for, and are sick over, is beyond the physical needs of now. It is our healed relationship with God and His truth...that we are so loved that we are meant to live forever in God's Presence.
Ps. 49:20 encourages me that what people need most I CAN help with, right now! My understanding of God's character is what I share, usually unconsciously, with my every word and action. If I know God I will be sharing light, if I don't know God I will be spreading darkness. My walk with God is my riches. I can also pray for true humility (I'm not better than anyone because I've received), wisdom (because witnessing to unbelieving friends I find to be so difficult) and opportunity (because the Holy Spirit prepares hearts) to share the promise of Ps. 49:15 with those who are ready for it: "God has redeemed your soul from the power of the grave (and the grief of all unholy separations, endings, breakdowns, deaths and losses) and received you."
Thank you sister Esther for your thought provoking and profound post, and for the thought that GOD has already given us all the resources we need to support the greatest need of others -- a revelation of His love and character. May GOD enable us not to fail in this most stupendous opportunity. GOD bless you and all the readers in this forum.
"The Cross," was something that was a "Once for all," by Jesus for humanity. Yet, God's Word makes promises of "prospering in Him" even with material things too in this life also. Jesus said that if we follow Him we would have "houses and lands" etc. and etc. Matthew 19:29.
I am not really sure what the title “From the Power of the Grave” points to, but the text's references relate mostly to the Resurrection. Yes, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart” – Job1:21.
And this is the crux of the matter – our Life is only in Christ Jesus, regardless if we have riches or are homeless and destitute. Nothing in this world is part of the Life we have in Christ Jesus. All who seek and find God's Truth have the Holy Spirit as their guide to point out the right direction in life. He will establish for the believer and follower of Christ Jesus’ Faith the progression of his/her faith. Therefore we cannot judge that which is spiritual by outer/physical appearance.
We find out that spiritual parameters are not set by any earthly norms – standards or values, but rather established by the faith the believer has in the goodness, rightness, and supremacy of all that which is contained in the power of God’s Word.
God is found in His Spirit and His Spirit is Love. Yes, ‘a time will come when God redeems His children to take them home.’ This has always been and still is His Plan! Rev.3:20
Thank you for your thoughts, Brigitte.
As Seventh-day Adventists we understand that the Holy Spirit is the mighty Third Person of the Godhead. That's why when you write that "God is found in His Spirit," it doesn't ring quite true to me. That said, we do agree that the Holy Spirit is love, and maybe that's the most important understanding.
Here are several pages you may find helpful to understand why we believe that the Holy Spirit is
the Third Person of the Godhead:
Our Belief About the Godhead,
Our Belief About God, the Holy Spirit,
Blog Posts About the Holy Spirit.
Inge, thank you for the references. Yes, as we refer to the Trinity which was at the Beginning, we are including the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
My saying that "God is found in His Spirit and His Spirit is Love," is inclusive of the Spirit of Truth. John 14:15-17 shows us that our life in Jesus is the presence of His Love and Truth within us. We worship Him in His Spirit which is - Love and Truth.
Material things cannot guarantee a place in Heaven. We do not take anything from this physical world, but our essence. Awesome material things are supposedly waiting for those who are granted salvation, but that's not the foccus of Grace. Grace is the proof of a loving God, Grace is a name turned into action. All that Heaven can offer does not make sense without Jesus.
The righteous only go to heaven at Jesus Christ's second coming and they will have new immortal bodies.
The "Righteous" are defined by how they deal with "material things," and how they treat others with these "material things" here and now in this life. How else can we "Feed the hungry or clothe the naked?"
The righteous love the Lord, love their enemies, love their neighbors, love their family, and love their brothers and sisters. Deuteronomy 6:5. Leviticus 19:18. Isaiah 41:6. And yes a glorious reward awaits the righteous.
There are many reasons I see those who trust in their own wealth and accomplishment, but I’ll just mention three. (1) security, (2) glory, and (3) self-righteousness. Reason (1) is the folly’s sense of security in their riches. Yes, financial security is important to have in life in order to live normally, but when financial riches becomes a hope and salvation over God lies the danger of no longer putting your trust in God. The US dollar bill has a statement that reads, “In God we Trust”. The intention of the statement was to put your full faith in God as a reminder, but many people today read the statement differently in putting their faith in financial currency over the Lord. Therefore, people with financial gains worship money rather than God. There is no salvation in wealth when going to the grave. The wise and the fool, rich and poor, are going to the same place in the end (1 Timothy 6:7). Reason (2) is the folly’s boastful glory. Reaching your life accomplishments is a positive feeling because it gives one strong confidence in themselves. But, the danger lies in being too prideful for your own good. Why is being too prideful dangerous? When an individual has too much pride finds it a really hard time to admit his or her mistakes and that they're never wrong. This type of attitude does not display any humbleness at all. Ancient kings, rulers, and deities of the past erect giant statues for people to worship their glory and accomplishment. When you put your trust in your accomplishment over God makes you want the people around you to give their praise and worship to you (Psalm 49:17). Jesus Christ the Son of God humbled himself by becoming human to save us from sin and to me that is super awesome. Christ’s accomplishment is His creation, yet He is meek and humble (Matthew 11:29). Reason (3) is the folly’s false self-righteousness. Looking down at your neighbor because you're better than them does not reflect the fruits of the Spirits (Galatians 5:22-23). It’s similar to the scribes and Pharisees in Jesus' days proclaiming their self-righteousness over sinners (Luke 18:9-14) or ancient kings of the past or current world leaders today calling themselves a god. In the end, the folly cannot bring his or her wealth and accomplishment to the grave (Psalm 49:12).
It’s very important for me to keep my eyes on the cross because I’m a sinner. Romans 6:23 (1st half) informs me of my destiny because sin eventually leads me to death as the end result. Hallelujah, there is salvation in Jesus and death is not the final result. Christ is the power source of life. When you take away the power source, no life can exist. When we keep our eyes focused on Christ, then the free gift of life is available for us to keep (Romans 6:23, 2nd half). “For the wages of sin is death (1st half); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (2nd half),” Romans 6:23.