S) "6 The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The LORD makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts."
1 Samuel 2:6-7 (NASB)
O) This is part of a song, in the first half of this chapter, written by the mother of Samuel. He went on to be priest and prophet, and she was thanking the LORD for giving her a son (whom she had pre-committed to the LORD). Most of the song is really just a declaration of who God is and what he does, including these two verses. It is important to note that these acts of God are not qualified for us (here), so we cannot take these words out of context to make them say something they do not. We cannot assume that the life God gives us as a reward (to the parents, for example), and neither can we assume te death He determines is a punishment (although both could be true). We also cannot assume by the language, that this means every life and every death is prescribed by God (although both of those things may again be true). The same principles are true for the rich and poor examples of the latter verse. At its purest reading, this tells us that the LORD is sovereign to choose to make any of these four things be so, for a person.
A) It is humbling to remember that I live by te will of God. He could choose to take me home whenever He wants. In that, I should thank God everyday that I wake up. What this means, is that as careful and healthy as I could ever try to make myself, He had final say. Exercising could add ten years to my life, but only at the will of the LORD, at which point I must ask, was the exercise what really caused it? After all, we know how He feels about exercise (see 1 Timothy 4:8). In the same way, working hard to earn a position at a job, to get a promotion and become wealthy… what can I do outside the providence of God? Certainly, there are biblical principles about the rewards of hard work, but those promises (if you will) are grace in and of themselves! After all, God didn't have to promise, but chose to promise. It is all grace to me, regardless of what role I may be allowed to play in it.
P) Father, You are sovereign and supremely wise. As far as I can tell, I'd like to live long and prosper. But I confess that my view is flawed and limited. I have no idea what long means to my life. I don't understand prosperity. I know that earth is passing away, and trying to make anything permanent here is foolish, and borders on sinful arrogance. I don't want to miss anything You intend for me, but I am also much more concerned with eternal life, and eternal prosperity - whatever it takes to get there. Open my eyes to see, ad my ears to hear, to know what role I must play in receiving Your blessings (if I must at all). I want You to be glorified when others see my life and material things (either in generous giving or simple living). Use me to further Your purposes. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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