Psalm 49, Part 1

(For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.)

1 Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! 2 High and low, rich and poor—listen! 3 For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight. 4 I listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp. 5 Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me? 6 They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. 7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. 8 Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough 9 to live forever and never see the grave. 10 Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind. 11 The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, 12 but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals. 13 This is the fate of fools, though they are remembered as being wise.

Interlude

14 Like sheep, they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates. 15 But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave.

Interlude

16 So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. 17 For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. 18 In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success. 19 But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day. 20 People who boast of their wealth don’t understand; they will die, just like animals.

Nothing says “good morning world. Let’s have a joy-filled day” like the last line of this Psalm: “They will die, just like animals.” This was one of the passages in my daily readings that I read this morning. Nothing fills you with hope like the reminder that we will all die and turn to dust. Yeah, right....

In a time when so many people in this country are reaching out for hope, are these words there to drag us down and keep reminding us of our dire circumstances? Actually, that’s not how I read this. I think these words are filled with insight (v.3) and plainly face the facts about life here where we walk the earth in human flesh. The fact is that we are born and we die. The end. We come into this world and then we eventually leave it behind, taking no suitcases, no treasures, no fame or status with us.

And in keeping with that thought, neither do we take sorrow, persecution, sickness, pain, or loneliness with us either. This Psalm is a reminder that we are created beings, here by the grace of God who loves each person without fail, no matter how rich, how poor, how intelligent, how foolish, how loving, how self-involved, how God-focused, or how much God is ignored. The surprise ending that God reveals about this story of mankind is that there is no dark and cold final chapter that every soul is destined to endure, because God has something far better in store for each individual. V.15 tells us, “But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave.” God has already redeemed us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and has wrapped up his offer of grace like a gift above all gifts, just sitting there ready to be accepted by the recipients.

It’s God’s “just say yes” program. Just say yes and receive the gift of light and hope, joy and life, and unending love. Because of that unequaled gift, the end is not really the end. I find comfort in that.

(See part 2 next Tuesday)

The Congress on Evangelism 2009

Yesterday I flew into Nashville (and boy are my arms tired… there, I said it before you punsters could think it) and arrived at this conference that I’ve been looking forward to attending. Because the only flight I could get was late in the day, I arrived in Nashville in the evening and missed most of the events of that evening. I did catch the end of worship (it’s been a LONG time since I’ve walked into a worship service late like that), but did hear the preacher remind us all that we all have a calling to go out and share God’s Good News. Not just that it’s a nice thing or a good idea, but that is the task for the church, the hands and feet of Christ who call Him Savior and live their lives believing and acting out that faith in service.

Following that, I left the huge room where we had met and walked down the hall past a myriad of tables promoting/selling all kinds of things, and I walked through the crowd of people focused on what I needed to get done back at the hotel room. In the midst of busy thoughts and being a little tired from the day, I walked past a particular table and walked a bit farther trying to ignore that I had seen that table. Then I hit a wall, not of brick, but of God’s presence and had to turn back toward that table. The reason I ignored it was only because I needed a moment to deal with an overwhelming sense of awe and time to wipe away a tear (a happy one) and control the giggle rising up in me.

One of the specific situations that God has been dealing with in me was concerning praying for the salvation of a specific group of people. On that table there was a sign that reassured me yet again that God had called me into His plan of prayer and action for these people. Had it been a neon sign saying, “Here are those people you are praying for” it could not have been any louder of God’s words upon my heart. The specifics laid out there for my eyes to witness and the conversation with the man at the booth just bowled me over. I felt God’s arms around me and heard his laughter and joyful assurance to continue trusting Him and his perfect ways beyond my understanding.

Be careful to ask God to move in you, to give you new direction, to open your eyes, or to renew you by His strength and power. God hears our prayers. I know we say that all the time and can grow lackadaisical about believing in the power of prayer and the faithful response God always gives, but God truly hears and answers us. Has your prayer life seemed small, tedious, or sporadic lately? I pray that you will just ask… just truly ask God to awaken you to His glorious presence. Ask, and you shall receive.

Joyful New Year!

Actually, I guess the titled sentiment comes a bit late, as today is already the 6^th day of the new year, but it is my wish for you all the same. Last year was a good one for me overall. Like everyone I had some great times of happiness and some great struggles to overcome. Even in the struggles though, I found joy in the journey. Sounds so Pollyanna I know, like I’m happy and skipping all the time, but in fact, I’ve had such a peace in both the ups and downs and have experienced the joy of knowing that God is continually with me.

Last fall, I began experiencing s new tug on my heart concerning those who do not know Christ. Being a pastor who spends a lot of time with my congregation, I don’t know very many people who don’t claim to know Jesus. I’ve been praying for growing opportunities and for God to guide me to all the knowledge and experience I need to understand this new tugging and the words that he has been speaking to my heart. He has given me direction to pray with renewed vigor for specific situations and people, things that have seemingly been outside my usual day to day focus on my congregation and community (but have everything to do with us learning about reaching out to the people around us) and things that seemed odd at first. But as time has gone by, God has made his direction loud and clear and I am eager to step up in this journey of faith.

In one particular prayer focus, God continues to reassure me of the fact that He has absolutely called me to pray for salvation for specific people. Everyday for quite some time, there is a word or experience that bursts upon my ears or my eyes and pours over me, filling me with awe and a desire to stop and pray for the situation or person that God has laid on my heart. I do pray everyday for many things, my family, my church, and the intercessions that come across our church website, but these specific prayers and tuggings were not from any of these regular places/people. God has laid these on my heart in the mysterious way that only He can. Venturing out into new territory is an exciting adventure of faith, and when God invites you out to someplace new or different, He has a plan in place for you beyond what you can imagine.

I pray that in the new year you will ask God to renew you and help you remember the joy of your salvation. I pray that you will ask God to give you direction and the boldness to step out in faith, even when you are unsure of what the journey entails. He will provide all that you need, exactly when you need it, and in your obedience you will know joy, and yes, even ecstatic happiness along the way.

Upcoming…

This week I will be in Nashville, TN at an evangelism conference. Keep me in your prayers, and I’ll keep you updated.

Peace and Joy!