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In Bible times, it was widely assumed that if you had wealth, it indicated God’s blessing and favor. We see this in the disciple’s amazement at Jesus’ famous statement, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24).” The disciples don’t respond by saying “Oh yeah Jesus. You’re just confirming what we already believed.” Instead, we read, “When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” In other words, “if rich people can’t be saved what hope do any of us have? We thought that wealth automatically indicated the favor and blessing of God.” But Jesus responds with man this is impossible but with God al things are possible.” Or “It’s impossible for wealth to buy entry into the kingdom of heaven. It’s impossible for humans to come up with enough wealth or wisdom to protect themselves from hardships and death. But with God the impossible (entrance into the kingdom of heaven) becomes possible – for rich people, poor people, anyone.”

There is a striking passage in Psalm 49 that talks further about the price of life. The Psalmist reflects on the prosperity of affluent people who care little for the things of God. They seem to have the ability to buy themselves out of trouble. But then he writes this:

Psalm 49:5-9 “Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”

Then he concludes: Psalm 49:15 – “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol (the grave) for he will receive me.”

My devotional today says this: “Neither wealth nor any kind of human ingenuity can save you from bereavement, ill health, financial reversals or relational betrayals – and finally it cannot hold of your mortality. There is no ransom that can buy you out of death. . . It is then utterly foolish to live your life as if economic prosperity could keep you truly safe, or as if you will never die. Only God can give you things of value that death cannot touch but only enhance.” (Tim Keller, Songs of Jesus, April 13, 103).

So let’s think about our fears today. Some of our fears might concern finances or jobs. Some fears might focus on health and safety. Some fears might arise because of our discomfort in dealing with the unpredictable. We are so used to controlling life that when things go beyond our control, we suffer anxiety or fear. We can put some hope into human wealth and wisdom – Government loans; Public health regulations; Pandemic protocols and Government Stimulus. All of these can help. But there is only One who can keep us safe even through death.

Therefore, when our fears start rising in times of trouble let us rest ultimately in God’s caring arms. He has paid the price for our lives through His Son’s death. He will walk with us through whatever comes.