“Psalm 49”
Over recent weeks there have been two events which (by and large) have gained a lot of press and attention.
And I wonder how much of your attention it has received.
One event is the ongoing news and developments of the world-wide credit crisis.
And what this means for banking, prices, economic stability. All the talk about this is the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930’s.
All the talk about a recession and/or a depression.
(As one wit has said – the difference between a recession and a depression is – a recession is when your neighbour loses their job; a depression is when you lose your job).
That’s one headline that has been with most people.
The other one which has enjoyed a fair bit of press – and which in some ways is ironic in the light of the first headline – has been the possibility of someone winning $30 million in Lotto.
That possibility - I am sure - has resulted in a lot of daydreaming for a lot of people.
I imagine that a lot of people have been imagining about a different life and the solution of a lot of problems if they – somehow – were the recipient of $30 million.
“World-wide credit crisis and how does this effect me” vs “What I would/could do with $30 million”.
Maybe these headlines have not had any impact on you.
For you – life has enough crises without having to worry about happenings in Wall Street.
$30 million does not really register for you but there are more immediate (if not realistic) financial considerations which affect your life.
It might be the next power or phone bill.
Or the desire to purchase something specific.
This morning we are going to join with someone who wrote a prayer and wrestled with these kinds of issues.
[Read Psa 49:1-6]
These opening verses are not simply an introduction. They are a challenge.
This person is troubled.
Perplexed.
He is deeply affected and driven to distraction by the presence of the wealthy and powerful.
The exact circumstances are not outlined – but we get enough of it to understand.
Yet the first thing is simply this – the value and importance of wrestling with life-issues and in prayer and reflection coming to a place of insight and wisdom.
He says “I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp”.
I think he just picked up his musical instrument and started pondering and working it all out.
Do you give time to that?
Do you sit and reflect; go for a walk or whatever – and turn your heart and mind to that which perplexes, frustrates, worries, angers you?
Do you do this kind of “work” with God and His Word?
It is the way of wisdom.
It is the way of revelation and understanding.
For this disciple – he comes to a place of revelation and his message applies to the world over and to all people whatever their status – economic or otherwise.
[Read Psa 49:7-20]
The result of his reflection is devastating – yet also wonderful – insight into true wealth and power. He arrives at a place which utterly changes his view of life and how to live it.
The result of his reflection is that there is something that everyone requires – but which is out of reach.
Ransom for their life.
It is a ransom which is not demanded by kidnappers – but by death.
And he comes to the conclusion that there is no price anyone can pay in order to ransom and redeem a human life from death and God (vv 7-9).
At this point you would think that he could be feeling smug.
He has seen beyond wealth and its power and sees just how impotent it is.
How useless it is when power is really needed.
Yet his reflection is brutally honest.
He sees that he too is destined for the same fate.
“Wise and fool” (v10) face the same demand. Death.
And now there is this terrible contrast – mansions on earth now the grave is their dwelling place.
Whereas once they had lands and countries named after them – now it comes down to a few feet of dirt.
“Six foot under”.
This is now “home”. Forever.
As for the rich – they enjoyed the admiration and envy of people during life.
They were praised (v 18) – the Psalmist makes the comical and cynical remark – “For you are praised when you do well for yourself”.
But this is the crux. This is the thing.
Verse 17 - "For when they die they will carry nothing away; their wealth will not go down after them."
We have all heard the statement if not made it ourselves – “You can’t take it with you when you die”.
As you can see – that observation has been around for 1000’s of years literally (v17).
But how many people really and truly live as if that is true?
Put it this way – for as many people who have recently daydreamed about what they would do with $30 million; how many have thought about their last 30 seconds of life?
With respect…an observation concerning death.
It is amazing how many people live as if it could never happen to them.
Death reveals the true value of wealth (vv16-20).
(Compare Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man – Lk 16).
Death reveals just how bereft humanity is.
No matter how rich they are.
Some of you have seen someone die.
It is not an easy moment or an easy thing to witness.
Yet – in that moment – in the moments leading up to a person’s final breath and when the light goes out in their eyes; it is then that life and all that it offered is seen most clearly.
The decisions and what a person has invested their time, energy, hopes and ambitions into – it is at the moment of death that this is weighed up.
“Cashed up”.
It is in that moment of death that you either realise the limitations, delusions and powerlessness of money (say) – or realise that in life you had known these things and prepared for death well.
It is in that moment that a ransom is demanded.
The human life is now on the precipice.
What payment can you offer? Truly – in that moment what do you possess which can make a difference at that moment?
The Psalmist was right.
No payment is enough (vv 7-9).
Ever.
But he did not bargain on God Himself offering His life.
And God did not offer His life as a payment as such.
But literally in your place.
So death still got to “kill”.
Death still did what it does.
It was not a pay-off insofar as death stayed its hand.
Someone still had to die.
So God did.
And do not dismiss that and minimise that by thinking “Yes – but He rose so it is not quite the same”.
He died!
It is this from which we must measure true wealth and true power.
It is this from which we base our admiration and “ambition” on.
This ransom provided by God in Christ is the determining factor in life. Economically and in every other way.
At that moment of death – it is this which will be true wealth.
It is this which will hold up and not be exposed as a delusion.
It is this which can be taken with you to the grave.
"Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?" (Matthew 16:24-26)
Presented By: Rev. Geoff New