Daily Devotional for Wednesday, July 24

The Psalmist’s Council

“Be thou not afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him,” Psalm 49:16, 17.

I use social media for multiple purposes. One day, these two messages came nearly side by side: “Christian, you are one day closer to Heaven.” “Man, you are one day closer to death.” I find that quite ironic. Both are true, and both are laden with meaning and warning. Our day of death is one day closer, and for those who are prepared, it will be a great day.

The Bible is faithful in presenting the reality of death. We are told to number our days. We are told that we are like grass, and we, like grass, will not last under the sun of time. We are appointed to die. We are even told that we are of few days that are full of trouble. And, ironically again, it is good that we know this about ourselves and our duration on this earth. It is good that we constantly consider our mortality in order to be prepared for the end.

In this psalm that reads more like a chapter from Proverbs, the sons of Korah gave counsel about the mortality of man, which is a great comfort to the downtrodden and oppressed. We may see our oppressors grow in riches and expand their means, but death will come to them. They cannot take anything with them. Naked they came and naked they will go. The rich and wicked have no benefit at death over the poor and righteous.

The wicked may prosper. The wicked may seem to get ahead. Death, however, is the great equalizer. It is also the great advancer for those who are in Christ.

REFLECTION
Death, taxes and God. We cannot avoid any of these for long; are you ready for Him?

Jason Rutherford