Join us in today’s devotion and prayer-
Read the Psalm in your favorite version or in the following KJV and then join us in praying below:
49 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
12 Nevertheless man being in honor abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings.
Selah.
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me.
Selah.
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
20 Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. (KJV)
Our Father,
It is a popular in our culture to say that no one can escape death and taxes. Well taxes maybe. In truth both rich and poor find a grave or a jar in the end and their possessions go to someone else. The wise and the stupid will all one day come before your throne.
The fool says ‘there is no god’ and lives a life in darkness disregarding your Word and truth. Sometimes they seem to have it all and scoffers might even gain the whole world and seem to suffer no penalty for their abuse of others. But in truth they are ever searching for direction and purpose only to find the ground without satisfaction.
Not so those who believe in your Son Jesus. Your mercy and light extends to such as these and your Spirit patiently attends and counsels them daily. Those of us who bare the name of your Son are not alone in this life or in the life to come. The ground does not overcome us nor does the evil one have a say over our destiny.
Father, you sent your Son into the world not to condemn but to save and the price of that redemption was great. And all the people who ever lived both great and small, rich or poor will will one day bow down at the mention of his name. Those who have faith in Him shall rejoice and his rule will one day be extended over every nation.
Maybe today is not that day but you are still on the throne and all of nature responds to your word. Those of us who follow your Son rejoice that you are in control. Life may be complicated and we may face disaster and even rejection by those close to us but we are never abandoned and alone. For you are always there with us in the midst of it all; your Spirit giving us comfort and direction and your light is always shining through the darkness.
We know that you have plans for us that extend beyond the ground and time itself. You have ransomed us through your Son and we have been adopted into your family. Thanks Father, we praise you today and forever.
In Jesus name, Amen.