The Light of the World...

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.  (Isaiah 9:1-2, ESV)

According to John MacArthur, Zebulun and Naphtali on the northern border in northeast Galilee, west of the Jordan River, were the first to suffer from the invasion by the Assyrian king marking the beginning of dark days for Israel.

In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maachah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria.—2 Kings 15:29

In earlier times, God treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make them honored by the presence of the Messiah.  He would give them the garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness...the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles would be made glorious.  God would turn their dishonor to honor. Read Matthew 4:12-16 which quotes Isaiah 9:1-2 directly. 

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles- the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."(Matthew 4:12-17,ESV)

The coming of the Messiah brought the light of life into a very dark world. Today (9/11/20) meditate on the One in whom there is no darkness at all.  The One who came to set us free from the power of darkness and convey us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;

I will lead them in paths they have not known.

I will make darkness light before them,

And crooked places straight.

These things I will do for them,

And not forsake them.—Isaiah 42:16

Indeed He says,

'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant

To raise up the tribes of Jacob,

And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;

I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,

That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"—Isaiah 49:6

Then your light shall break forth like the morning,

Your healing shall spring forth speedily,

And your righteousness shall go before you;

The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.—Isaiah 58:8

Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the LORD will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.

The Gentiles shall come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of your rising.—Isaiah 60:1-3

“The sun shall no longer be your light by day,

Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you;

But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light,

And your God your glory.

Your sun shall no longer go down,

Nor shall your moon withdraw itself;

For the LORD will be your everlasting light,

And the days of your mourning shall be ended.—Isaiah 60:19-20

In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].—John 1:4-5 AMP

Boasting in Infirmities...

2 Corinthians 11:16-33...

In chapter 10, verse 18 Paul says this about self-commendation.  

For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Clearly, Paul did not want to boast as the false apostles were doing, but Paul was not boasting in himself, but in God.  He was not boasting to protect “his” ministry or “his” good name...Paul was boasting as a means to protect his Corinthian flock from rejecting the true Gospel for a false one. 

Here in verses 16-33 Paul comes back to what he had been speaking of in 10:18 and in Chapter 11:1-6.  As I read, what hit my own heart and gave me pause were verses 28-30.

Read verses 22-30 paying special attention to those three verses...

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.—2 Corinthians 11:22-30

What bothered Paul the most in ALL of his sufferings for the gospel of Jesus Christ, was NOT the physical suffering he faced, but the ever-present mental and emotional burden of concern he felt for the people of God.  Oh, to have a heart like Paul’s...a heart so filled with Christ’s compassion, concern and love for the people in my own life, that it eclipses not only my physical sufferings but also my self-focus...my me, myself and I, thinking.  

Paul knew what he said in verse 30 was true...He could boast and would boast in his infirmity because doing so magnified God’s power which worked in him mightily.  

I didn’t sleep much last night because my own heart was faint and burdened for those I love. Both Paul’s words and example here in Chapter 11 were a good reminder for me this morning to always pray and not lose heart...to boast in my weakness and in my infirmities because that is when the power of Christ’s may rest on me.  God’s word in Romans 8 tells me that the Spirit also helps me in my weaknesses, saying:

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

When I am weak, He is strong. When I don’t know how to pray for the people I love, it’s okay...He does.  I TRULY CAN do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me. 

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.—2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.—2 Corinthians 4:7-12

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.—Colossians 1:29

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.—2 Timothy 2:20-21

The Weapons of Our Warfare...

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.—2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Some mornings I wake up and life just feels heavier and harder...like I am walking through a thick, unrelenting cloud that makes any movement at all difficult. The weight of all those things that “aren’t right” in my life seems to be resting on my shoulders.  Sometimes the word of God can even magnify my grief because truth is sometimes hard to swallow.   It reminds me over and over that I am not in control of anything.  My life and the lives of those I love are in His hands.  Most of the time, I KNOW this is such a good thing, but on mornings like this, the eyes of my heart can get lost in the weeds and forget.  I look at the earthly and not the eternal.  

God used the words of 2 Corinthians 10 to speak encouragement and truth to me this morning.  My Spirit lifted and my heart rejoiced as I read them. This earthly battle is not mine to fight.  Both the battle and the victory are His.  I am weak, but He is strong.  I am insufficient, but He is my sufficiency. My weapons are powerless in the face of the spiritual.  His are not.  My job is to put divine truth to the lies that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. I am, by His gracious Spirit, to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. My weapons are not earthly, but are mighty in God because it is God who works in me both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  My job is to be obedient and do the next right thing...the results are ALWAYS up to Him. He is the God who performs all things for me and also makes perfect that which concerns me.  

Beloved, I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD I n the land of the living.  Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.  Wait, I say, on the LORD!   

Ending with Ephesians 6:10-19 from the Amplified Bible. 

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart), 15 and having strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people.—Ephesians 6 10-18

EXPOSITION BY C. H. SPURGEON: Isaiah 1:1-20.

Concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken, I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against Me. It is an appeal of God to inanimate creation to bear witness to the ingratitude that He had received, as if it were of no longer any use to speak to men. The appeal is stated very solemnly and impressively, "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord has spoken. I have nourished and brought up children," cared for them, loved them, fed them, "and they have rebelled against Me." The ingratitude of a child is something shocking — and the ingratitude of man to God is of that character.

3. The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel does not know, My people do not consider. Men are more brutish than the beasts that perish! The lower animals, as men contemptuously call them, acknowledge the hand that feeds them, but men receive the bounty of God through long years and yet live as if there were no God at all — they feel no gratitude to Him whatever. Israel was God's peculiar people, highly favored and greatly indulged — and this made it all the worse for the Lord to be able to contrast them and the brute creation. "The ox knows his owner and the ass his master's crib, but Israel does not know, My people do not consider."

4. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Thus the Prophet spoke to of his day and we may say much the same to of our own time. The professing Church of God has gone away backward, forsaken the Doctrines of the Truth of God and turned aside from the purity of its life. God have mercy upon the world when the Church, itself, becomes thus defiled!

5. Why should you be stricken any more? What is the use of chastisement to such people? It is supposed that punishment is always healthy and that we grow the better for it, but God says, "Why should you be stricken any more?"

5, 6. You will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot, even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. The nation had been so beaten that it was covered all over with bruises and sores. It seemed to be of no use to afflict Israel any more — and there are some persons in the world who have been chastened in every conceivable way and yet they are none the better. There are graves in the cemetery where those they love lie asleep. The house that was their joy has long ago been sold and they have not a roof to call their own. They have seen themselves at death's door by fever and by other diseases and yet all that God's rod has done for them has come to nothing. The old Roman lictors carried an axe bound up in a bundle of rods and, when the rods had been tried, and had failed, then came the axe. And if the milder forms of chastisement do not bring men to repentance, sooner or later will come the axe of destruction! Thus the Prophet says it was with sinful Israel —

7, 8. Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. The land had been so harried and worried by invaders that it was little better than a poor shanty — the nation was comparable to a poor hut which the Arabs put up in the vineyard to sleep in — "As a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city."

9. Except the LORD of Hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. And this is true of London as well as of Jerusalem! If there had not been a remnant of godly ones still left, "we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah."

10, 11. Hear the Word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the Law of our God, you people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? says the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat offed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. These people were a very religious people, although a very wicked people. It is a strange thing when nations have become demoralized and injustice reigns supreme at the same time — ritualism and outward pomp and external religion come to the front. This is a wretched business, to give God the husks when the kernel has long ago gone. What cares the Lord for "burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts.. . the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats," when men have left off doing that which is right in His sight? The Lord may well say to those who bring offerings to Him under such circumstances, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me?"

12. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this at your hands, to tread My courts? "Who invited you to come to My courts?" asks God. "Who asked you to pretend to worship Me, when you are living in sin and your hearts are not reconciled to Me?"

13. Bring no more vain oblations, incense is an abomination unto Me. The new moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn meeting. If you are hypocrites. If your hearts are not right with God you may multiply your Church attendance and your Chapel attendance and your sacraments, but all these are only a provoking of God to anger! There is nothing in it all that He could possibly accept — He cannot endure it! He says, "I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn meeting."

14. 15. Your new moons and your appointed feasts My Soul hates: they are a trouble unto Me, I am weary to bear them. And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide My eyes from you: yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. This is plain speaking, but God never sends velvet-tongued men as His messengers. They who are called to testify for God speak out boldly — and faithfully denounce the sins of the day in which they live. Blessed be God for Isaiah and for men like he! When men are committing crimes, when they are oppressing the poor, when they are living in the daily practice of injustice, when they indulge in secret drunkenness, when their whole life is a lie, they may do what they will, but God will not hear their prayers! While we keep sin in our hearts, it is in vain for us to stretch out our hands unto God. He is a holy God and He seeks holy hearts and holy lives — nothing short of these can be acceptable to Him.

16, 17. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. This is what God asks for — "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this — To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world"

18-20. Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land: but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it. May the Holy Spirit make us willing and obedient that we may "eat the good of the land." And may none of us be found refusing God's gracious invitation and rebelling against His authority — lest we perish in our sins!

Leaning Upon My Beloved...

5 "Who is this coming up from the wilderness

Leaning upon her beloved?"

(The Shulammite Bride)

"Under the apple tree I awakened you [to my love];

There your mother was in labor with you,

There she was in labor and gave you birth.

6 "Put me like a seal on your heart,

Like a seal on your arm;

For love is as strong as death,

Jealousy is as severe and cruel as Sheol (the place of the dead).

Its flashes are flashes of fire,

[A most vehement flame] the very flame of the LORD!

7 "Many waters cannot quench love,

Nor can rivers drown it.

If a man would offer all the riches of his house for love,

It would be utterly scorned and despised."—Song of Solomon 8:5-7

As I read these verses, I see beautiful pictures of earthly marriage.  However, Jesus, who is my Beloved, overshadows the earthly and brings the eternal front and center in my heart. 

My Maker is my husband. The eternal God is my refuge and underneath me are His everlasting arms. As I walk through the untamed and unrelenting wilderness of life, I lean on Him.   He has given me the shield of salvation, and His right hand upholds me as I walk.  He says to me, His beloved:  

I have chosen you and have not cast you away:

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:9b-10

God has set His seal of love in my heart by giving me His Holy Spirit as a pledge. His Spirit now dwells in me and is always with me.  NOTHING can separate me from His love...not even death. His love is stronger than death, for He conquered death so I could some day dwell with Him forever. My God is faithful, and His promises to me will not be broken.  His love toward me is unyielding.  

My Jesus’ love is also invincible and unquenchable.  When trials and troubles assail me, He is for me saying:

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the LORD your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;—Isaiah 43:1b-3

My God’s love to me is a priceless gift.  It cannot be bought for any sum because His love is freely given.  All I need do is accept it.  I am my Beloved and my Beloved is mine. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails.—1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.—Romans 13:8-10

His Banner Over Me is Love...

He brought me to the banqueting house,

And his banner over me was love.

5 Sustain me with cakes of raisins,

Refresh me with apples,

For I am lovesick.

6 His left hand is under my head,

And his right hand embraces me.—Song of Solomon 2:4-6

Whenever I read the Song of Solomon, these words in Chapter 2, always give me pause because they are so beautiful.  He is my bridegroom and He brings me to His banqueting house...His house of wine...His house of joy!   Here, He spreads His banner of love over me indicating to all that I belong to Him!  Perfect, self-sacrificing, redeeming love flies over me to shelter, comfort and protect me.  My Beloved is always with me...His left hand is under my head, His right hand embraces me and His grace sustains me. My Beloved is mine and I am His.  My desire for Him increases with each moment I spend in His loving, protective Presence. 

Oh, increase my desire for You, Father!  Increase my faith, also!  May I live always in Your Presence where my joy is full!  Give me spiritual eyes to see beyond the temporal and into the realm of the eternal.  Your word to me, Father, is truth.  Immerse me and establish me in the truth of Your love.   Grant me, according to the riches of Your glory, to be strengthened by it in my inner man, rooted and grounded in Your love.  May I be able to comprehend with all Your saints what is the width and length and depth and height of this banner over me.  May I know the love of Your Son, Jesus which passes knowledge.  Fill me with all Your fullness. 

There are many who say,

"Who will show us any good?"

LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

7 You have put gladness in my heart,

More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;

For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.—Psalm 4:6-8

May He grant you your heart's desire

And fulfill all your plans.

We will sing joyously over your victory,

And in the name of our God we will set up our banners.

May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.—Psalm 20:4-5

5 For your Maker is your husband,

The LORD of hosts is His name;

And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;

He is called the God of the whole earth.—Isaiah 54:5

8 Yes, in the way of Your judgments,

O LORD, we have waited for You;

The desire of our soul is for Your name

And for the remembrance of You.

9 With my soul I have desired You in the night,

Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early;

For when Your judgments are in the earth,

The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.—Isaiah 26:8-9

O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

4 Thus I will bless You while I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches.

7 Because You have been my help,

Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

8 My soul follows close behind You;

Your right hand upholds me.—Psalm 63:1-8

The LORD your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."—Zephaniah 3:17

Psalm 49...

1 Hear this, all peoples;

Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

2 Both low and high,

Rich and poor together.

3 My mouth shall speak wisdom,

And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.

4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;

I will disclose my dark saying on the harp.

5 Why should I fear in the days of evil,

When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?

6 Those who trust in their wealth

And boast in the multitude of their riches,

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother,

Nor give to God a ransom for him—

8 For the redemption of their souls is costly,

And it shall cease forever—

9 That he should continue to live eternally,

And not see the Pit.

10 For he sees wise men die;

Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish,

And leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever,

Their dwelling places to all generations;

They call their lands after their own names.

12 Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain;

He is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the way of those who are foolish,

And of their posterity who approve their sayings.

Selah

14 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.

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave,

For He shall receive me.

Selah

16 Do not be afraid when one becomes rich,

When the glory of his house is increased;

17 For when he dies he shall carry nothing away;

His glory shall not descend after him.

18 Though while he lives he blesses himself

(For men will praise you when you do well for yourself),

19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers;

They shall never see light.

20 A man who is in honor, yet does not understand,

Is like the beasts that perish.

God the Righteous Judge—Psalm 49

Psalm 49 is about as real as it gets because it addresses what for all of us in this life is most certain...our own death.  The psalmist’s words address all, rich, poor, low and high...everyone all together. 

Death is experienced by all.  None escape. Those who boast in their riches can by no means redeem his brother nor give God a ransom for him. The redemption of their souls is costly and once they die the possibility ceases forever.  The wise man dies as the fool and leaves his wealth to others.  His last thought is that his house will last forever. Death feeds on them and their beauty is consumed far from their dwellings.  These are the thoughts and ways of the foolish who, as verse 9 implies, somehow hope to circumvent death and live eternally, despite the fact that the witness before them is incontrovertible. All die...  

Verse 15 speaks to the sure and certain biblical hope of the Psalmist, and I think it is among the greatest affirmations of confidence in the Lord in all of Scripture. 

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave,

For He shall receive me. Selah

What an encouragement to read especially after reading all the condemnations of the self-reliant. For me, it brought Job to mind. 

For I know that my Redeemer lives,

And He shall stand at last on the earth;

And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,

That in my flesh I shall see God,

Whom I shall see for myself,

And my eyes shall behold, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me!-Job 19:25-27

The unbeliever cannot buy his way out of death.  The believer’s soul, however, on the other hand, is redeemed by the only One who can redeem him, God Himself. The Psalmist knew that God would raise him to eternal life.  

Just as an aside here, because I found it very interesting, the word “receive” used in verse 15 is the same Hebrew word used for “took” in Genesis 5:24 which says:

And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

The Lord snatched Enoch up or carried him away.  Enoch did not see death...the Lord just took him.  Genesis 5 is filled with “and he died.”  Enoch is the only break in the pattern where death has been up to that point, universal. The author of Psalm 49 had this same hope...that while his body would die, his soul, like Enoch’s, would be received by the Lord.; he understood that God would redeem his life from the power of the grave.  Why should we then fear in the day of our death?  Beloved one of God...believe.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?—Matthew 16:26

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.—1 John 2:15-17

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.—Revelation 20:11-15