Psalm 49 and what's really important

I admit it...I haven't posted anything here in awhile - yet, I am enjoying this year's read through the Bible.

I am behind, but what is new! I enjoy God's word, and yet, the busyness and pace of life stops me from getting all that I desire in his word. I always have the attitude that I will read more and longer if I do this Bible-in-a-year program, than if I don't. Tim in God's word is what the goal is, not to 'get through something.' It is transformative, and I am loving what I am reading.

A few days ago, I was meditating on Psalm 49:

1 Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor alike: 3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. 4 I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: 5 Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-- 6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? 7 No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him-- 8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough-- 9 that he should live on for ever and not see decay. 10 For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their tombs will remain their houses for ever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. 12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah 14 Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah 16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendour of his house increases; 17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendour will not descend with him. 18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed--and men praise you when you prosper-- 19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life. 20 A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psalms 49:1-20, NIV).

The part that really stuck out to me was verses 5-12 ---> though I may live a life worthy of naming lands after me (or buildings like Amundson Hall at the U of M where my chemistry dept was housed at the U of M), the reality is that all of us are dust. We will all die. What is a life well lived? What is a legacy for the future that actually makes a difference? Only what is given to God, fully, without holding back. Every one of us fears insignificance...yet, the reality is we get that significance only when we find ourselves getting value in God and his glory alone. When I spread God's fame, when I allow him to be all, when I no longer look to get buildings named after me but seek to pursue sharing the glory of Christ with others, then (and only then) will I be satisfied and then (and only then) will I have a significant life. Lord Jesus, please make me into a man who loves you with a radical, courageous love and not look to make a name for myself. Amen.

God says to Jeremiah "Is not my word like fire and like hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"

I don't know about you, but I am one who loves to get my hands dirty and enjoy a good job well done. Last night, as a matter of fact, I was working on the electrical on my basement remodel. Now sometimes, it just needs to be worked on with the power on, so you can know what you are doing. No, I didn't get shocked, because I was SUPER careful for the few minutes I needed to figure out which wire did what. Then I turned the power off to work on it safely.

Being a follower of Jesus Christ is NEVER like that. If we really have a personal relationship with Christ, and this power courses through our veins, and the way we hear God's voice is through his word, then we are always working with the POWER ON! The goal of my Christian life is to get constantly ZAPPED by his Spirit as much and as many times a possible! It is our way of living a life of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 2:12) and not a life of dry religiosity fill with dead orthodoxy, legalism and hypocrisy. No, our life is to be one of PERSONAL, POWERFUL, ORTHODOXY!!

As a result, I am encouraging as many people of Hope as possible to join me in working through the Bible in a year and then blogging about it here. A great way for reading the Bible through is using one of the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Programs. Each of them have their advantages, and you can download for free or purchase them to get a "fancy" copy if you like.

Let's make 2007 year when the word of God runs through us, transforms us, and makes us listeners to his voice this next year!

Trike