September 2 – God, The Redeemer (Psalm 49)

“But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.”(Psalm 49:15)

IN WORD:
This verse is what it’s all about, for us and for others. This must be the first pre-occupation of all our plans and purposes. It is not our productive work habits, inheritances, or any other windfall during our lives that divides the successful from the impoverished. The grave does that. Only then are true riches counted.
Is it not amazing how much time people spend securing their lifestyles, their careers, their education, and their living conditions compared to the little amount of time spent on the things of eternity? It is a sure sign of depravity when men and women cannot — or do not care to — see beyond the grave. One day in eternity, many will look back with astonishment. They will see how much effort went into things that do not last and how little went into things that do not die. And there will be gnashing of teeth.
Look at the above verse. That is the claim and the hope of everyone who has seen through the world’s illusions of fame and fortune. Everyone who was snubbed by worldly elites will not care when he or she is redeemed from the grave. None of the games people play will matter then. No social, economic, or political rivalry will matter then. There will be two kinds of people — redeemed and not redeemed.

IN DEED:
It is enormously important for us to keep life in perspective. It is dangerously easy to get sucked into the world’s value systems. But a depraved culture is not a reliable source for what — or who — is truly valuable. God’s Word is. Any other focus is a misplaced trust.
Do you get discouraged easily by your status in life? Then ask yourself: Who defined that status? God or the world? God only has two classes, and He always welcomes you into the better one. The world has many classes, and they’re all false. Who would you rather believe?

“God is the judges of all social systems.” -Oscar Romero-