Hope in God and Not Uncertain Riches: Psalm 49-Supplication through the Scriptures

 
Hope in God and Not Uncertain Riches

Psalm 49

Put…hope in the Giver not the gifts.
George Knight 

Psalm 49 reminds the godly and upright not to fear when the wicked prosper and gain riches. The psalmist reminds the reader that it is wise to recognize that no one can take his wealth with him. The wise as well as “the fool and stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others”(49:10). He also states those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches have a “foolish confidence” (49:13). 

The believer should heed the warning not to rely on riches. It can be easy in a world where money is needed to buy food and pay bills to put confidence in the obtaining of financial security or to be anxious when there is not financial security. Matthew 6 is a well-known passage encouraging believers not to be anxious about what they will wear or what they will eat, as their Heavenly Father knows they need these things (6:25,32) and He cares even for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. 

Paul instructs believers at the end of his letter to Timothy to not place their hope in the uncertainty of riches but in God, “who richly supplies us all things to enjoy” (1Timothy 6:17). We ought to make God our refuge and not the abundance of riches (Psalm 52:7), knowing that those who seek Him lack no good thing (Psalm 34:9).

Pray Psalm 49 giving your financial concerns to the Lord.

Hear Wisdom

49:1-4 Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 
Let’s pray:
▫️We would have wisdom and understanding to not rely on the uncertainty of riches, but rather we would rely on God who richly supplies us all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).
▫️We would carefully incline our ears and hearts to the Lord’s instructions about seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, and we would not be anxious about our needs (Matthew 6:25). What needs are concerning you today? 

No Fear in Times of Trouble

49:5-9 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. 
Let’s pray:
▫️We would not be afraid or fearful about tomorrow. 
▫️We would rejoice and be content in all things, whether in abundance or need (Philippians 4:11-12).
▫️As we have trusted that the Lord has ransomed and redeemed our souls, so we would trust Him with the temporal things of our lives: food, clothing, housing, schooling needs, or whatever may cause us to be anxious.

Perishable Riches

49:10-12 For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. 
Let’s pray:
▫️We would remember that this life is temporary, and we would fix our eyes on what is eternal. 
▫️We would trust that if the Lord is withholding something, it is for our good. 
▫️We would trust the Lord to be our sun and shield, bestowing honor and favor, and He would withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly, blessing those who trust in Him (Psalm 84:11-12).

A Foolish Confidence

49:13-15 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah 
Let’s pray:
▫️We would not be foolish and seek after dishonest gain to meet our needs.
▫️We would rest in the care of our Good Shepherd to lead, guide, and provide our needs.
▫️We would be rich toward God, pursuing things of true and lasting value (Luke 12:21).

Be Not Afraid

49:16-20 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
Let’s pray:
▫️We would not fear but give all our concerns to the Lord knowing that He cares about all our anxieties (1 Peter 5:7).
▫️We would trust that our Heavenly Father will give what is good to those who ask (Matthew 7:11).
▫️The Lord would give us our daily bread (Matthew 6:11).
‭‭
May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Psalm 49 quoted from the ESV.
Photo credit to sharonmccutcheon

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