Psalm 49 reminds us: wise and foolish perish together and both leave their wealth behind (v.10). Rich and poor perish together and neither can take their glory with them (v.17). We are all bound for the grave and no man can save us (v.7). The price of our redemption is beyond human wealth (v.8). And yet…there is hope for us yet. God himself will pay the ransom for our soul and save us from the grave (v.15).
Lord, neither wisdom nor wealth can spare us from death. It is impossible for us to save ourselves. And no other person can save us either. The price of our ransom is too steep. No one can afford it. No one except the Son of God, whose wealth is without limit. The whole world together could not pay the cost of our ransom, but Jesus, with only the riches of his righteousness alone, he is able to pay the ransom of all who believe in him. Hallelujah! What a savior!
God, we sometimes take too much stock in wisdom and wealth, and associate with others who are like us. We sometimes take too much stock in other trivial things as well: the color of a person’s skin, whether a person is male or female, a person’s physical abilities, and so much more. When we look to the cross, remind us that Jesus died for all people; for rich and poor, male and female, black and white and all other races. Lord, we pray, lend us your eyes that we might see others as you do: precious, valuable, made in your image, wonderfully made, masterpieces, works of art, beloved, children of God. Grant that we might value the lives of others rightly, and love and serve them as we ought.
We love, because you first loved us. We love you, God, because you first loved us. And we love others, because you first loved us. In the loving name of Jesus our savior we pray, amen.
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