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Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Living for the Glory of God- Psalm 49, Galatians 4:2

 


Today's reading:Psalm 49, Galatians 4:2
As we read today’s Psalm we find that its main focus is to convince the men of their sin and foolishness in setting their hearts on the things of this world, and so to persuade them to seek God who will fill their most inner needs; and also to comfort them, when they realize their own troubles, and compare themselves with those that apparently are prosperous, for they will find grief in their hearts from fretting the prosperity of the wicked.

Even though this psalm was written so long ago, we come to realize that this is a reality in our present time: right at this very moment, the things of this world are attracting people more and more, which at the same time drives them further away from God and His precepts. People are still seeking to glorify themselves with the “apparent” glory the world offers, in money (prosperity), fame and sex. They spend so much effort to have it, compromising all along the way, and once they have it, it immediately begins to fade away not being able to satisfy them like they hoped it would!

“They trust in their wealth (v. 6); they depend upon it as their portion and happiness, and expect that it will secure them from all evil and supply them with all good, and that they need nothing else, no, not God himself. Their gold is their hope (Job.31:24), and so it becomes their God. Thus our Saviour explains the difficulty of the salvation of rich people (Mk.10:24): How hard is it for those that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  Matthew Henry

The Psalmist gives us a great advice in the final verses:

 “Be not afraid when [an ungodly] man becomes rich, When the wealth and glory of his house are increased; 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him.18 Though while he lives he counts himself happy and prosperous—
And though people praise you when you do well for yourself—19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never again see the light. 20 A man [who is held] in honor, Yet who lacks [spiritual] understanding and a teachable heart, is like the beasts that perish.” Psalm 49:16-20

It is so sad that so many people are falling in Satan’s disillusion, trying to “BE” whatever makes them feel important or unique. They will seek for approval and popularity among their friends and the world around them, even if this means to defy God’s Word:

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God for [f]an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man and birds and four-footed animals and reptiles…. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive…” (Romans 1:22, 28 AMP)

It is so sad that they have “exchanged the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God for…” their own rebellious ways, putting at stake the salvation of their souls!

But for those of us who seek to live a life that is according to His Word and for His Glory, He will not forsake us nor abandon us like Jesus says:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither

 moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19:21)

Jesus also warned us when he asked, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44) He knew the hearts of the religious people of those days, who : “...loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God” (John 12:43)

Those who live for the glory that comes from other people cannot love the glory that comes from God. Those who live for the fear of men, are exchanging it for the fear of the Lord! Before I surrendered my life to Jesus that is who I was: “a people pleaser”. Now I would not want to exchange the glory of God for NOTHING!

 “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” (Psalm 115:1).

We who surrendered our lives to Jesus are called to: “conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth. 18 For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless [spiritually unproductive] way of life inherited [by tradition] from your forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold, 19 but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ. “(1 Peter 1: 17-19 AMP)

Yes, the riches of this world could never earn us a place in eternity! Only through the Precious and Priceless blood of Jesus!!

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, please forgive us when we let the riches of this world attract us and keep us from giving you the Glory that is only yours. Forgive us when we try to seek the approval of others instead of seeking to please you alone. May we acknowledge that:

” everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for His glory”. (Ro.11:36) May our “…light shine before men in such a way that they may see our good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew. 5:16 emphasis mine), Yes, may all that we do in this life be only for the Glory of Your Name Lord. “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. Amen” (Psalm 86:12)

Blessings,

Mari