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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:
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
