A PSALM FOR LENT

Lent is a time of reflection and ‘self-assessment’, an appraisal of where one is, how one uses ones resources, and, how one might help and love our neighbour more.

 Psalm 49 may seem, at first glance, quite harsh but there are pointers to redemption and positivity too, as one takes time to think and reflect on the Psalmists words.

 The Psalm is about the futility of worldliness, i.e. gathering to oneself riches, pride and fame,

Whether we are rich or poor, we have one similarity: when we die we leave all we own here on earth. At the moment of death both rich and poor are naked before God and empty-handed. The only riches we have are those we have already invested in our eternal heritage. It is possible that at the time of our death, each of us will wish that we had invested less on earth, where we must leave it, and more in heaven, where we will keep it forever.

To have treasure in heaven, we must place our faith in God, pledge ourselves to obey him, and use our resources for the good of his kingdom.

In Mark 10: 42-45 and Hebrews 9: 11-12 too we learn that Jesus has set us free; has paid the price of our redemption, so that we could be set free from the slavery of sin. Now we can begin a new life with him.

 There is no way that we can buy eternal life with God; we cannot even earn it, for only God can redeem our souls, and Jesus did it for us on the cross. Because of Jesus we can have eternal life with God, through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

So, during this Lententide, make a health check on your heavenly investment portfolio; do we do enough for our ‘neighbour’; do we spend enough time with God in prayer; are we listening for God and discerning properly what it is that God wants us to do’ or where he wants us to be?

 Have a think about it, pray about it, and store up your treasure in heaven; for wherever your treasure is, then there will be your heart also.

 Every blessing

Denise