Read Psalm 49
Often when I read the Psalms I find Jesus in some surprising places. I’ll be reading along, caught up in how intimately the Psalms seem to speak into my humanity and what it means to stumble along in this enigmatic thing we call “Christianity;” and suddenly, a verse will catch me a bit off guard. Psalm 49 is one of those Psalms.
Most of Psalm 49 is an abridged version of Ecclesiastes or an Ash Wednesday service. The basic point: Your wealth, your wisdom and you confidence is meaningless and worthless. At the end of the day, it all burns up, turns to dust and does nothing to bring about salvation in your life or in the lives of those you care most about. You can almost hear Jesus’ asking “what will it profit you if you gain the whole world but forfeit your soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
If we read the psalms and never reflect on how Jesus answers the questions they raise or satisfies the longings they express, then we are missing the point. But when we read the Psalms mining for Jesus, we find that he is everywhere. Consider Psalm 49 verses 7, 8 and 9:
“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.”
We need Jesus to rewrite these verses in our lives.
And He has. Jesus himself said that he came to “give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) Christ City Church, be encouraged “God will ransom your soul… he will receive you.” (v.15)
Praying the psalms isn’t magical or even mystical, there’s no secret formula for how it works. Simply come to the Psalms with an open heart and mind looking for Jesus and you won’t be disappointed. This week you might try the simple exercise of praying Psalm 49 in light of Jesus:
“Truly Jesus can ransom my life,
and give to God the price for my life,
for the ransom of His life is invaluable
and will suffice,
that I should live on forever
and never see the pit.”
-- Chaz Holsomback