Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

24 April 2024

Reading From Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87

“Why should I fear when evil days come,
    when wicked deceivers surround me—
those who trust in their wealth
    and boast of their great riches?
No one can redeem the life of another
    or give to God a ransom for them—
the ransom for a life is costly,
    no payment is ever enough—
so that they should live on forever
    and not see decay.
For all can see that the wise die,
    that the foolish and the senseless also perish,
    leaving their wealth to others.
Their tombs will remain their housesforever,
    their dwellings for endless generations,
    though they had named lands after themselves.

People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
    they are like the beasts that perish.

This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
    and of their followers, who approve their sayings.”

–Psalm 49:5-13

     Scripture is rich with meaning.  Every time I read a passage, I see it in a different light and discover something new.  The Word of God enlightens and expands my understand of God, myself, and the world around me both ancient and modern.  The first part of this psalm reminds me that I have nothing to fear.  Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  I must place my trust in God for He alone is a firm foundation that can never be moved. 

     The strength, refuge, courage and hope of the Lord is made available to all those who call upon His Name through the blood of Jesus which was poured out as a ransom for all mankind.  This gift is made available through faith in Him.  “No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—so that they should live on forever and not see decay.”  Only Jesus was qualified to do this and the redemption given through His sacrifice and resurrection brings eternal life to me. 

     Everyone alive today will eventually die physically unless Jesus returns before our time.  Death is no respecter of persons.  No matter how smart, foolish, wealthy or poor we are, death will come.  This knowledge ought to sober our thinking and hopefully bring perspective.  Here is Psalm 49, we are reminded not to trust in material wealth because you can’t take it with you to Heaven or to Hell.  The phrase, “I’ve never seen a U-Haul trailer on the back of a hearse” comes to mind.  God is to be our firm foundation, not money.  Wealth is to be used for God’s glory and shared with others in need, rather than hoarded and used for selfish purposes.

“Lord, it’s so easy for me to lose perspective.  I live in the physical world and even as I believe in You and the unseen world, the demands of daily life and the fears and stresses that come along with it at times take my eyes off what is truly important.  I pray that You will help me align my priorities with Yours.  Wealth is a tool, not something to build my life on.  Bring fresh, eternal, spiritual perspective as I steward the resources You’ve blessed me with.  Amen.”

  Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

–Proverbs 11:28

Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
    He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent;
    he will uproot you from the land of the living.
The righteous will see and fear;
    they will laugh at you, saying,
“Here now is the man
    who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth
    and grew strong by destroying others!” –Psalm 52:5-7