Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 49:1-9
Ps 49:1-9
1 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 utterance from my heart will give 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 man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him--8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough--9 that he should live on forever and not see decay.
Luke 16:19-22
19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.
With his vast wisdom and almost endless resources the Preacher searched for the meaning of life. After exploring all that he could imagine to be the reason for our existence on earth he reached at least two conclusions. Without God our life is meaningless, like chasing the wind because no matter what we accomplish, we die and leave it behind. We are soon forgotten and our works destroyed.
When God is entered into the equation of our lives, we find purpose and meaning for why we are here. We live because we will die and leave this earth. Our life is not about here or now, it is about what happens when death comes.
Jesus lived and died as a man, as representative of mankind. He offered his life in death for our sins. As proof that God has accepted his offering on our behalf, he was raised from the dead to live forever. Just as he died for our sin, we die to sin and live for him. Just as he ascended to the Father in victory over death, we will be raised to live forever with him. This life is about getting ready for eternity with Jesus our brother and God our Father. We will leave all things behind when we die and our faith is turned into sight and our hope becomes reality with Jesus.
Heavenly Father help me keep my eyes on Jesus and on the things above where he is seated at your right hand. Keep me from allowing the things of this world to distract me from serving you and being what you want me to be. Help me be pliable to your word and to your Spirit as I am molded into your likeness. Use me to your glory and give me wisdom to be able to reach those who are not serving you. Guide the leaders of our nation that peace may abound. Be with our enemies that they will turn to Jesus as Savior and Lord. I humbly pray in his name.
Robert
