Antidote to Vanity and Death (4)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 49.5, 6, 16, 17
Why should I fear in the days of evil,
When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
Those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the multitude of their riches…
Do not be afraid when one becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dies he shall carry nothing away;
His glory shall not descend after him.

Sing Psalm 49.16-20 15
(Sagina: And Can It Be, That I Should Gain)
Let the redeemed of God take heart, though fools and all their wealth increase.
Death shall deprive him of all he owns, the grave shall make his glory cease.
Thus though he boasts, no light he sees;  his end in hell shall ever be.
Refrain v. 15
My God redeems my soul from hell!
His grace and mercy let me tell!

Read Psalm 49.16, 17

Preparation
1. Of what should believers not be afraid?

2. What happens to the “glory” of unbelievers?

Meditation
Wait. Why would anyone become afraid just because someone else becomes rich? Two reasons.

First, we might fear that we are missing out on something, some boon or bounty that we might enjoy, if only we were rich. The fear here is that we might not know as much happiness as the rich person because we do not possess the means for happiness which we suppose the rich to have achieved.

Second, we might think that rich people have influence, and they might be inclined to use their influence against us, probably to their advantage and not ours. The fear here is that we can do nothing to oppose the plans of the rich and powerful, and that may not always work out well for us.

So what can we do?

Don’t be afraid (cf. v. 5). Can the wealthy know greater happiness than the humblest person who is redeemed and received by God? Not by a long shot. Does the wealthy person have power to wield over us that can thwart the power of God to redeem and receive us? Nope.

It’s a question of where you’re looking. If your vision of life is merely “under the sun” – things and comforts and agreeable circumstances – then you’re likely to be afraid of many things. If your vision is “under the heavens” on the other hand – focused on Christ, exalted in glory and returning to receive you unto Himself forever – then you won’t be afraid of anything.

You’ll just continue looking to Jesus and do your duty of living and proclaiming His redemption. Just like the sons of Korah.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“Do not be afraid…” (Ps. 49. 16).

Before we discuss all the things that we are not supposed to be afraid of, let’s look at some things that we are to fear. These things have mainly to do with falling into the displeasure of God; not man.

The first instance arises in the garden of Eden early in the history of man: “…she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” “And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ So he said, ‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid…’” (Gen. 2.6, 8-10). And they should have been afraid.

The second construct of fear Jesus relates to us: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10.28).

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
“For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 10.31; 12.29).

Now we can read about all the ways that we are not to be afraid!
God spoke to Abram (even before He renamed him Abraham) in a vision, saying: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Gen. 15.1).

God said to the children of Israel soon after He brought them out of Egypt that if they obeyed Him: “I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid…” (Lev. 26.6).

David affirmed this truth in a poem and said: “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (Ps. 4.8).

Solomon added: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid…” (Prov. 3.24, 25). The disciples were terrified, thinking they had seen a ghost. “And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid’” (Matt. 14.26, 27).

In summary: we should fear disobeying and displeasing God.
But we are not to fear rich people, moving, change, stepping out in faith, man, or ghosts.

Fear not! But even if we do become afraid, He is still with us:
“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word),
in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” (Ps. 56.3, 4)

Reflection
1. What does it mean to fear God? Why is this so important?

2. What happens when people fear men rather than God?

3. The fear of God leads to obeying Him, which leads to loving Him (Deut. 10.12, 13). Explain.

The sum of the whole matter is, that it can profit a man nothing to gain the whole world, to become possessed of all its wealth and all its power, if he lose his own soul, and is cast away for want of that holy and heavenly wisdom which distinguishes man from the brutes, in his life and at his death. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Psalm 49.15-20

Closing Prayer: Psalm 49.1-9, 15
Pray that God will give you courage for this day, to face any challenge, endure any trial, and undertake any calling or direction from the Lord. Praise Him for redeeming and saving you, and for sending you as His ambassador to your world.

Sing Psalm 49.1-9, 15
(Sagina: And Can It Be, That I Should Gain)
Hear this, you peoples, low and high; give ear as wisdom I proclaim:
My heart with understanding fills to hear and sing my Savior’s fame.
Why should I fear when foes arise, who trust in wealth and boast in lies?
Refrain v. 15
My God redeems my soul from hell!
His grace and mercy let me tell!

No man his brother can redeem, or give a ransom for his soul.
Let him leave off the vain attempt to gather redemption’s priceless toll.
Vainly he longs for eternal day, that he may not endure decay.
Refrain, v. 15

T. M. and Susie Moore
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.