Week 16

Well, we wrapped up week 16 today, and I’m a bit rushed on posting this. Please forgive any editing errors or lack of clarity in my ramblings.


Topics of interest:

* Jesus came as fully man and fully God. God Himself ransomed the lives of men - of all who accept Him.

No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him - the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough - that he should live on forever and not see decay. (Psalm 49:7-9)

* We read several Messianic prophetic references in this week's passages. (Did you find more? Please post them!)

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! (Psalm 14:7a)

because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. (Psalm 16:10)



Point to consider:

Psalm 73

I've experienced it before. I've heard the statements of others' when they've experienced it. Perhaps you have experienced it yourself at one time or other. Obviously, Asaph experienced it so it isn't even a new concept. It's a case of the grass is greener syndrome.

In this world, we've all seen people who do not follow God, either unacknowledging or flatly denying His existence, that seem to have the world by the tail. They seem to achieve fame and fortune by leaps and bounds while believers do their best to stay faithful to God, struggling with family, finances, occupation, friends, or various other aspects of life. I'm sure you could call to mind famous actors, models, musicians, businessmen, politicians, or athletes right now who don't live their lives in Godly manners but have practically have everything the world can offer.

We often wonder why we aren't blessed with wealth and status since we are children of the King. While many believers are blessed in these ways, the vast majority are not. We may look at the prosperous unbeliever and see a "silver spoon" life; they "have it made".

If we follow that line of thought, we can end up despondent and depressed as Asaph wrote:
v16: When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless.

It can also even have us question our obedience and relationship with God:
v13: Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

But Asaph gives the answer in the very next verse: "till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny."

Jesus Himself warns us:
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36)
The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Luke 21:33)

God's word is the standard by which we live. As Asaph realized, these worldly people are "on slippery ground" and God has "cast them down to ruin", "suddenly are they destroyed". It all hinges on "their final destiny".

Consider that even some of their stories of scandal make the news every day. Even as bad as those scandals are, ultimately for the ungodly, the final destiny is disastrous.
And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)

As we read in Psalm 49:
But man, despite his riches, does not endure; this is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. (Psalm 49:12a, 13-15)

So, while we may watch ungodly people prosper in this life, remember always, that those who are alive in Christ are new creations and given eternal life through Him alone.

For this reason, He alone is worthy of our obedience, our adoration, our devotion, and our praise.