Dealing With Injustice - A Message From Psalm 49 Series

Psalm 49 v 10 He sees that even wise men die, the stupid and the senseless alike perish, and leave their wealth to others. Psa 49:11 Their inner thought is that their houses are forever, and their dwelling places to all generations. They have called their lands after their own names, Psa 49:12 but man in his pomp will not endure. He is like the beasts that perish.

What these verses say is that the obvious is the obvious. All people die and what they have accumulated materially is passed on to others. Not only the stupid and the senseless die, but also the rich and the powerful, Presidents and Prime Ministers. It is interesting that God identifies some as being stupid and senseless. It is not difficult for us to see that around us. The bible says, “It is appointed to man to die once, and after that the judgement.” You can’t come back, nor do you return to claim your belongings. When the Pharaohs died everything for the afterlife was packed in their tombs, even food, but behold, what was not stolen by grave robbers, is still intact. A waste of time, but such is the craving for man’s continuance, that men strive to reach it.

Verse 11 is so true of human existence. We build and multiply and store up as if we are going to continue with life. Our houses are forever, and my dynasty will last always. Look at the stately homes and manors in Britain. The Lord or the Count or the rich man built his mansion thinking to establish himself in the earth and to leave a name for himself so others will think on him and in a way, preserve his earthly existence. When I was 40 I moved to my present location and build paths and gardens around the house, built walls and shelves in a tool room. I had a long time ahead to use the stuff. Now 35 years later stuff is all over the shelves and I probably won’t use much of it any more. At 40, the 35 years ahead seemed like a century, but at 75, the last 35 years seem as but a year or two.

That verse says they call their lands after their own name. How true that is. We have so many estates and manors and halls, hospitals, schools named after the builders and founders as if their name will exist forever. Britain and the USA are full of them. Check out your city and you will find some. However, as verse 12 says, pompous man will not endure, for God has allotted 70 years and medical science may prolong it, but only by a few years. People who make their boast in this life will pass away like the most humble person does. The grave is no respecter of persons. Their pomp and importance is gone. The verse ends with a comparison with the beasts, or if you like, with animals. As animals die, so will human beings. There is a huge difference that this verse does not cover. Man has an immortal spirit; animals have only a soul. It is the spirit that is everlasting in one of two destinies.

Children and especially teenagers often ask a question in forums that are designed for them and it is this, “Can I be with my pet (or my pet dog) in heaven?” Or that question might be framed, “Are there pets in heaven?” Some of the administrators of those forums assure the kids that there are pets in heaven; and because the bible is silent about that, maybe we can’t be absolutely definitive, but I don’t think that can be the case, as animals do not have a living spirit. . . it’s just that kids don’t like losing their pets.