Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
—Psalm 103:4-5
What are some of the benefits that we enjoy, both temporally and eternally, when we know the living God? Well, for starters, we’re delivered from permanent destruction to experiencing God’s everlasting loving-kindness and mercy; we go from having emptiness in our hearts to deep satisfaction with the good things that He gives to us; we go from being weary and heavy laden to being renewed as youths in our spirits. There are many who are hurting from personal loss or illness who can still experience the joy of knowing the Lord and having His grace and mercy and love shine into their hearts despite their suffering. The ungodly don’t enjoy this comfort.
Money can bring temporary happiness and a sense of pleasure, and although we may find ourselves envying those who never have to worry about expenses, believing that somehow they must be “happier” than we are, there are multitudes of things that we enjoy that they can never purchase or experience apart from a relationship with God. Because of Jesus, I never have to worry about what happens when I die. I know where I’m going. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).
Money and “things” can’t calm a troubled heart or redeem a life from perdition. Our lives aren’t always easy, but we are always redeemed from destruction. We may not have all the pleasures and treasures of this world, but what awaits us is far better than anything that can be bought or experienced in this life. Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
When you were redeemed by the blood of Jesus upon being born again, you began a journey on the path of life that is showered with the loving-kindness and tender mercies of God. When you stop to think about it, aren’t you glad that God doesn’t give us everything we ask for? Aren’t you glad that God doesn’t give us what we deserve? Aren’t you glad that through Jesus we are richer than Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and even the Walmart heirs and heiresses, whose combined net worth tops $140 billion?
Sometimes we tend to think things like, “Well, if I just had their money, my life would be better.” Not necessarily. There is no better life than living for and with Jesus. Don’t miss the connection between “satisfying our mouths with good things,” and having “renewed youth [meaning strength] like an eagle.” What does Philippians 4:19 say? “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” And that’s a promise that we take to the “bank,” so to speak. Let us praise Him today!
Excerpt from “Beside Still Waters” now available on Amazon.
