Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 1-030 Sunday 11 Feb 2001

Reading: PSALM 49 – WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

(From ‘Encounter with God’ Bible Reading Notes)

Give thanks to God for the sacrifice of Jesus, and the great love with which he regards us.

I do not expect to get to know a reigning monarch on first name terms, nor do I expect to spend time with most of the people written about in the newspapers and glossy magazines. But all of us, whether we are rich and famous or come from one of the poorest parts of the world, we are all going to die.

The circumstances may be different in each case, and none of us knows the time, but no one can avoid that last appointment. We approach it from the day of our birth. The wise, the stupid, the rich and the destitute are all finally equal in this one thing.(1) We shall leave behind alike our mansions or squalor, our fame or misfortune. We shall take only our character.

But just as surely as no one else can buy us out (vs 7-8), God stands ready with a ransom sufficient for the whole lot of us. This writer is sure (v 15) that he will rise from the grave. But there is one thing we should know: God can hardly be expected to search out my grave if I have not introduced myself to him before I get there. He only comes by invitation.

So let’s not be too impressed by riches or fame (v 16), even when they are ours – especially when they are ours. We can’t all have them, and that alone should give us a clue as to their real worth. Rather, we should value understanding and wisdom (v 20), which is available to all.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.(2) It is wise to prepare for possible problems, and more than foolhardy not to prepare for the inevitable ones. Nothing is more inevitable than death.

Perhaps you keep a diary. Looking back over the years, can you see how God is slowly shaping you?

(1) Eccl 9:2 (2) Job 28:28; Prov 1:7; 9:10; Ps 111:10

– Ken Edgecombe

Copyright Scripture Union, 2001