WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Do you consider yourself rich or poor? What do you set your standard by?

Only God can redeem
Unusually here the psalmist is preaching rather than praying or praising. And the message is for all the people in the world, rich and poor alike (v 2). But, as in all good sermons, he addresses himself too. He knows that he has no need to fear the wicked and the wealthy (vs 5,6), because only God can redeem his life (v 15).

Words such as redeem and ransom (vs 7,8) take us back to our Isaiah readings, and of course forward to Jesus. It’s all part of the same big picture.

Riches are temporary
The psalmist encourages his readers not to be overawed by riches (v 16) because they are only temporary. People who are wealthy and successful in this life will not take their riches with them (v 17). Of course some people can have wealth and still serve God. The important thing is not how much they have, but what they do with it.

In today’s materialistic society we can easily be impressed by and envious of riches, especially if we ourselves are struggling. Television programmes broadcast get-rich-quick quizzes, and show us fantastic homes and holiday destinations. But, wonderful though these things may be, none of them have any permanence. Back to verse 15: it is only God who can save us.

Respond: This week make a positive effort to share what you have with someone less fortunate.

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-12-23