“Though while he lives he congratulates himself – and though men praise you when you do well for yourself – He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they will never see the light.  Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, is like the beasts that perish.”  (Psalm 49:18-20)

Man in his pomp, like the beasts will amount to nothing.  How vain are the attempts of mortals to gain immortality.  Do not pursue those things which are here today and gone tomorrow.  Seek instead the things of the Lord which are forever.  Seek character, a good reputation and the knowledge of the Lord.  Walk in His ways and know what is good and righteous.  Seek the Lord while He may be found.

It is hard Lord with all of the temptations of this world.  My immediate needs are tugged by this world’s incessant pleas to go in many different directions.  Clear my mind to be still and know that You are God.  Help me walk purposefully in the way I should go and then equip me to walk in that way.  Through all things, lead me to be with You now and always.

Lord Jesus, you came into the world with nothing, but in Your resurrection gained all those who would follow You through the cross.  By Your example.  Help me see the fruits of good living and walk in the path You have established.  Lead me into a life that seeks Your way first and walks in the righteousness You teach through Your Word.  Lead me Lord Jesus where I should go.  Amen.

“As sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd; and the upright shall rule over them in the morning, and their form shall be for Sheol to consume so that they have no habitation.  But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me.”  (Psalm 49:14-15)

Sheol is death.  It awaits us all.  No one has left the life alive.  God did not exempt Himself from this, for Christ dies, even on the cross.  But what is promised is that we shall be redeemed from Sheol through grace by faith.  Those who are united with Christ are untied with a death like His in order to have a resurrection like His.  You are not ruled by death, but by the author of life.

Lord, I want what I see as the good things of this world.  I desire what I see those around me have.  I am not content with where I am, but want to go where I am not.  Loose me from this bondage to seek You in and through all things that I may live life in preparation for what You have intended from the beginning.  Guide me O Lord according to Your ways that I would walk in them.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead us away from the futility of this world in order to live according to the eternal purpose the Father established from the beginning.  Guide me O Lord in Your will that I may walk with You all the days of my life.  Help me see that only in You will I be established forever that death would have no hold on me.  Though I die, yet shall I live in You.  Amen.