Read the Book: April - JuneSample

Week 21

Psalms 48-49

Hope Beyond This Life

We have all had a time in our lives when we felt like we were doing the right thing while everyone else was doing what’s wrong. And when feel this way, sometimes it also seems like they are the ones succeeding while we are suffering. David experienced this more than most of us ever will. Psalm 49 speaks to this very situation and the bottom line can be found in verse 10: “Even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish.” 

Sometimes, in this world, it will seem like the unrighteous will prosper. People will get rich and famous in dishonest ways. Justice won’t always be served. Rulers will rule cruelly with no consequences. But the end for us all is the same: we will die.

A reminder that we are going to die doesn’t feel encouraging, but the real reminder here is that there is another life to come—and that is encouraging. We all should suffer for eternity, because we have all sinned and and fallen short, and sin can not exist in a perfect heaven. The good news is that we don’t have to suffer for an eternity beyond this life because Jesus lived a perfect life for us, gave His life as a payment for our sins, then rose again to demonstrate His victory over death. If we accept His gift of salvation, it means that this life is the worst thing we will ever experience… but a better eternity is ahead. 

No matter what you go through in this life, we are all on an equal playing field after we die, and this lifetime is nothing compared to an eternity after death. Even if things never get better for you on this earth, once you get to heaven, every earthly experience—even the good ones—will pale in comparison to the joy you will experience with God in heaven—your true home.


Family Connection: If you could have anything that makes you happy, what would it be? So often our answer comes down to money - having money to buy things like toys, treats, or a vacation. Too often we put our hope and trust in money more than in God! All of those things we think will make us happy will not last, but Jesus’ love for us will never change. He is the only one who will truly satisfy our hearts!