Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
We are the Light to the World (Matthew 5:16) as Israel was to the Gentile world (Isaiah 42:6).
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
Our words are precious to some (Romans 11:17), but foolishness to others (1 Corinthians 1:25 & 1 Corinthians 2:14), but we must press on to share glad tidings for their souls.
5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
Last year we’ve met with new difficulties, Coronavirus being more infectious than the Flu virus and lockdowns that followed resulted in a new and unique hardships not ever known before in in human history. There were losses of life as a result of the virus but thankfully not very high which parallels that of the common influenza.
However, because of the fear engendered by it the entire world locked themselves down which resulted in job losses in the service industry, and psychologically impacting the young as it prevented from human contact with friends.
6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
But with each new and continuing hardships we learn not to trust in the tangible or our human means of help, but only through the Lord we trust (Psalms 46:1 & 10).
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
With that let us remember who, what, and why we’re reaching out to the lost. This verse reminded me of Roman Catholics who believed that by their many prayers, works, and payment through indulgences can save him/herself and their fellows. Lost are they (Romans 10:1-4) and so were we without hope (Ephesians 2:2-3).
10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
Their thoughts and observations if I’ve rendered this correctly is not entirely wrong. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and good to the bad (Ecclesiastes 9:14-15); but when the just does suffer ill or the worst comes, it is often for the greater good (Isaiah 57:1)
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Through all this, God will deliver, He will cause us to endure, and will bring us through. We are saved eternally so we will enter our rest knowing even that we will come to Him unashamed (Jude 1:24).
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
As for the unbelieving, of those who step over us and others (Psalms 73:12-16) to advance or boasted in this life because of his/her prosperity accomplished without God’s help will meet his/her end in shame (73:17-19). Even in their own righteousness needing no grace will be naked before God in judgment as all their accomplishments will amount to nothing (Psalms 64:6 & Romans 4:4-5).
This year might be yet another year of the same or worse (Matthew 24:7-8). It might also be the year the Lord comes to take His Church, or the commencement of the Tribulation Period. Whatever the case, what might be in store for us in the future, the LORD will triumph in the end.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
– John 16
Happy New Years, everyone! And God bless!
Agur's Observations 