These Psalms flow to glorify God Who is unspeakably majestic, Who rescues His covenant people. Then a stark contrast arises when we consider those who trust in life just for the living: those who seek only riches, the foolish, the self-indulgent, the one who seeks only what the flesh has to offer. The Psalmist sees the glory of man fade–you can name a country but you cannot name your fate. What we treasure in things cannot compare with the value of life with God now, while we breathe His air and walk His earth. This no one can buy back. Live for God today, He will ransom your soul, preserve, value, take possession again of who you really are, the “you” that endures. God buys us back from time lost, shallow living, and gives meaning to our lives. Psalm 49:15, for us, may even glimpse life with God beyond the grave. None of us can do that alone.
What does God need? Not me; He does not need me. He does not need my money. He owns everything. What does He want from me? Have you ever asked yourself that? What does God want from me? My life of thanksgiving, gratitude, acknowledging Him, living in harmony with Him, that I can offer, everything flows from there.
Paul arrives at such a beautiful place, flowing the from the dark helplessness of Romans 7. Romans 8 always comes to me like a breath of fresh air–I believe the Spirit intended it that way. Life has its meaning only in God. He did what I could not do. I cannot forgive myself. I cannot redeem myself. I cannot raise myself from the dead–death, that dark bondage of futility to which my body is bound. That is His job, which He has done so excellently in Jesus. Now, in Christ, with His covenant people, my life is given meaning. I call on God as my Father. His Spirit is the dynamic relating Agent Who allows me to say, “Abba, Father.” As I called my earthly father “Daddy” when I was a child, so now is God to me until He brings the maturing and completion, the perfection of His re-creation of me in Christ, when I shall see Him face to face, the One Who loved me.
Prayer: O Holy, Righteous, True God, You Who gives meaning to our existence, I have pledged myself to live for You today. Glorify Your name in my offering, and by Your Spirit help me do just that. Thank You for grace in Jesus. Thank You, in Jesus name. Amen.
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