Devotions

Rev Gav

Perspective

Psalm 49.1-9

Listen to this, all you people!
Pay attention, everyone in the world!
High and low, rich and poor—listen!
For my words are wise,
and my thoughts are filled with insight.

I listen carefully to many proverbs
and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp.

Why should I fear when trouble comes,
when enemies surround me?
They trust in their wealth
and boast of great riches.
Yet they cannot redeem themselves
from death by paying a ransom to God.

Redemption does not come so easily,
for no one can ever pay enough
to live forever and never see the grave.

Reflect

We can all do with a bit of divine perspective from time to time can’t we? There’s nothing wrong with owning stuff, but we can’t take it with us, therefore, on our deathbeds I wonder how we wish we had invested our time, our energy, and our efforts?

The psalmist (the person who wrote this psalm) reflected on their present situation and the present situation of those around them. To summarise, they wrote that no matter how much money you have, you cannot pay your way into eternal salvation or redemption.

This psalm reminds me of the teaching of Jesus when he explained that the way to God was the ‘narrow’ way — a way that passed through him and the cross. He also reminded Thomas that he was, “the way, the truth, and the life.”

So what does entering that narrow way of Jesus mean? What does it mean to be redeemed and saved? Well, that is perhaps too big a question for a short daily reflection, but, it means to enter a new way of thinking and a new way of living — one that is centred around Christ and God’s values.

To Jesus, people mattered more than possessions, and perhaps therein lies our answer? Rather than seeking wealth or the acquisition of more ‘stuff’, perhaps we should invest our time, energy, and efforts in our relationships — to spend time with people, listen to them, support them, and love them?

Today, or this coming week, you may be presented with opportunities to invest in other people, and I pray that when that time comes, the Holy Spirit will prompt you, and say, “Here’s your opportunity! Go for it.”

Pray

Holy God
I choose to enter
the narrow way
and to centre my
life around Christ.
Please give me
a divine perspective
that I may invest
my time, not in
the acquisition of
wealth or belongings,
but in people
whom you love
and who bear your image.