Jesus compared our hearts to soil and His Word to seed. He compared cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches to thorns which choke God’s Word in one’s life so that it does not produce fruit. [1]
The Psalmist compared those who trust in worldly wealth to beasts that perish.
“Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.” [2]
The Psalmist had no confidence in worldly wealth, but he did have confidence in God to redeem his soul from the grave, and to resurrect him to a better life…
“Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah” [3]
He describes an element of the worldly culture that hasn’t changed since he wrote the Psalm a few thousand years ago…
“Though while he lives, he blesses himself (for men will praise you when you do well for yourself), he shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish.” [4]
Sadly, riding on the crest of a wave of praise from people could be the very sign of one’s own destruction. Jesus warned us, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” [5]
Jesus emphasized serving and loving God and others during our earthly lives as opposed to seeking notoriety and fleshly pleasure. A life lived for Christ bears witness to our confidence in the words of Jesus about eternity.
It is not easy to go against the flow of the world. To sacrifice what we could have had in this world for the sake of God’s glory and to put others before ourselves! Therefore, the Psalmist noted: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” [6]
Loving God and others helps us to avoid false notions about ourselves, laziness and hateful ways…
“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” [7]
“The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.” [8]
“He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” [9]
Jesus calls us to love God and others because He wants our joy to be full.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” [10]
[1] Matthew 13:22
[2] Psalm 49:11-12
[3] Psalm 49:14-15
[4] Psalm 49:18-20
[5] Luke 6:24-26
[6] Psalm 51:17
[7] Proverbs 26:12
[8] Proverbs 26:16
[9] Proverbs 26:24-28
[10] John 15:11-13
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment