A Word from Psalm 49

If you’ve attended an Ash Wednesday service to mark the beginning of Lent, you might recall that when your forehead was marked with ashes, the pastor probably said, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return.” Now for some, that might seem like an odd bit of advice to begin a season of spiritual preparation. I mean, why not say, “Repent of your sins,” or “Seek the Lord,” or “Find a way to bless others”? But no, this season of preparation begins with a reminder that none of us last forever.

And it turns out: that’s a common theme in the Bible—one that appears in today’s word from Psalm 49.

“Why should I fear when evil days come,” the psalmist says,

     “when wicked deceivers surround me—

those who trust in their wealth

     and boast of their great riches?

No one can redeem the life of another

     or give to God a ransom for them—

the ransom for a life is costly,

     no payment is ever enough—

so that they should live on forever

     and not see decay.

For all can see that the wise die,

     that the foolish and the senseless also perish,

     leaving their wealth to others.

People, despite their wealth, do not endure;

     they are like the beasts that perish.” (49:5-10, 12)

Naturally, you might want to say, “Pastor, that’s not very encouraging!” And maybe it’s not. But it is truthful. And not only that, but it offers what I think is an encouraging reminder: Today is a gift! And the only way to use it well is to remember how precious the gift of this day is.

So maybe our prayer today could echo another psalm: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). And may we all live this day knowing that we are sustained by the love and goodness of God. Amen.

Alex L. Martin

Rev. Alex L. Martin, Pastor

Calvary Baptist Church

314 S. Franklin Rd.

Mount Airy, NC 27030

336/786-4778 (Office)

336/745-5803 (Cell)