- Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. Psalm 49:7-9 – Our psalm today is one of practical, yet eternally important, wisdom. The main message is money and wealth can’t save you in this life, and we see that message played out in the verses above. No man can pay the ransom price for someone’s life because the cost is too great, and the result of their efforts to pay their own way into Heaven is seeing the pit of Hell they sought to avoid. No wealth, no fame, no title is enough to cover the ransom cost of our sin and allow us to enter Heaven. While this humbling message it true, the glorious message is the one of the Gospel. While we could never cover the cost, Jesus could and Jesus did. We learn from Romans 6:23 that the ransom cost for our sin is death, and what we see from scripture is that Jesus Christ took upon Himself that cost by dying on the cross for us. He was and is our perfect atoning sacrifice to make a way for us to be with the Father in Heaven. While this amazing gift has been given to the world, how often do we still see people believing and living in such a way that says, “I can cover my ransom on my own without God.” They feel as if they don’t need God because they don’t want to be under His authority. They believe somehow the money and power they get in this life will carry over into the next, but sadly their beliefs are unfounded and Hell is their future. Only through Jesus can we find the hope of eternal life. If you have been trusting in anything else other than Jesus, today is the day to have a shift in what you are trusting in. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3004
- But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah. Psalms 49:15 – It’s pretty special how this verse today started with “But God.” I just finished a week of missions with our youth family and the theme was “But God.” I taught that when God steps into a story He changes the direction of that story. We see that clearly shown within this Psalm. Life was going one way then God stepped in and changed the direction of that life. Know God can change your life’s direction too. No matter the path you’ve taken your story can have a “But God” added to it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 985
- Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. Psalm 49:16-20 – Notice the key phrase there in that final sentence…”yet without understanding.” This psalm speaks deeply on the impact wealth and riches can truly have on a life. Yes, they can provide temporary blessing and reputation, but when it comes to our death that wealth means nothing. Only with understanding does any of it matter. Understanding that is was God who first gave us what we have and the understanding that is is only God who can save us from death. Your wealth, your riches, and your talent can’t save us from the death that is in everyone’s future. As though verse 16 says, “but God” can. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1766
Daily DEVO 