S) "7 No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him-
8 For the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever-
9 That he should live on eternally, That he should not undergo decay."
Psalm 49:7-9 (NASB)
O) This passage is a warning against pride. It is a warning against a false sense of ability and security. There are no means, by their amounts or nature, that can pay for life. Humanitarian efforts, and charitable giving is all well and good. It's even awesome, when it glorifies God. However, all of it is vanity if eternal death is waiting at the end. This is why this passage specifically points to the redemption of the soul. We lack the currency for such a transaction, as to pay the ransom for life and redeem ourselves, let alone another person.
A) The illustrations given in this psalm are mostly about money and physical death, but the spiritual truths are even more important to understand. It is only in Christ that redemption is found. What this psalm really represents, is the segue from the temporal to the eternal. These topics of passing wealth, fragile life, and man's impotence, are all introductory points about their eternal reflections. How we lay up eternal treasures, how we gain life that won't fade, and how we are made truly strong, are all found in Christ and Him alone.
A) The illustrations given in this psalm are mostly about money and physical death, but the spiritual truths are even more important to understand. It is only in Christ that redemption is found. What this psalm really represents, is the segue from the temporal to the eternal. These topics of passing wealth, fragile life, and man's impotence, are all introductory points about their eternal reflections. How we lay up eternal treasures, how we gain life that won't fade, and how we are made truly strong, are all found in Christ and Him alone.
P) Father, in Your grace You have revealed these truths to me. Thank You for that understanding. I pray that it prompts me to a life of action, immediate action. Help me use these segues in my relationships, as opportunities to share the gospel. Help me to walk in the spirit of boldness You have already given me. Let Your will be done, as I try to redeem my brothers and sisters, not with my own currency, but by the precious blood of our Savior. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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