It Is Better

It Is Better – 24th February 2008 pm

Have you ever wanted to have something better? Maybe you’ve found yourselves asking for the following:

• I want a better home

• I want a better Job

• I want a better car

• I want a better holiday

• I want a better life

Here are some better things found in the Book of Psalms.

I. Better Wealth – Psalm 37:16-17

All too often in our materialistic culture we put the emphasis in the wrong place. We think that money can buy happiness. The wicked man’s prosperity, however, is just an illusion. It is like the pot of gold that is supposedly found at the foot of the rainbow.

When General Booth asked Cecil Rhodes, the wealthiest man in the world in his day, if he was a happy man, the South African gold and diamond magnate replied, “Me, happy? Good heavens, no!” (Lottery winners – suicide & misery)

Psalm 119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

It is after all a matter of priorities. In which world are we investing? Where do we most want to succeed, in the world of business, or in the world of Bible? The psalmist had a better treasure in his Bible than in all the gold in the world (we’ve already seen that gold doesn’t make you happy). He had made his decision, he knew which world he was living for. His treasure was in heaven.

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

What is your priority your possessions on earth or your treasure in heaven?

C.T. Studd was a wealthy Englishman who sold his entire estate, gave the money away, and then went to the mission field to serve Christ. He summed up what motivated him in these words: "Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last."

The question is not whether or not you should store up treasures for yourself. That answer to that is—yes, you should! The whole issue hangs on the issue of where you are going to store them, on earth or in heaven.

Jesus says hoarding your treasures on earth is foolish, but hoarding your treasures in heaven is smart.

The exciting thing is, when we give to God, we really don’t lose anything at all; we are simply pushing it on ahead. We are making an investment in the building up of God’s kingdom now that will pay back vast eternal riches to us as dividends later on.

This fact is beautifully illustrated in the story of a sailor who was shipwrecked on a South Sea island. He was seized by the natives, carried shoulder-high to a rude throne, and proclaimed king. He learned that according to their custom the king ruled for a year. The idea appealed to the sailor until he wondered what had happened to all the previous kings. Then he learned that when a king’s reign ended, he was banished to a lonely island to starve to death. So, knowing he was king for the year, this sailor began issuing orders. Carpenters were to make boats. Farmers were to go ahead to this island and plant crops. Builders were to erect a home. When his reign finished, he was exiled, not to a barren isle, but to a paradise of plenty.

II. Better Care – Psalm 63:3

David’s life was threatened and he was in extreme danger. He walked in the valley of the shadow of death. But all thought of danger faded before the thought of God’s grace, His loving-kindness. God doesn’t just offer us kindness but loving-kindness. He doesn’t offer us mercy, but tender-mercy.

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

The Lord’s Presence – Thou art with me. So far, David has been using the third person singular to describe the journey. “He leadeth… He makes me lie down… He restoreth my soul… He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Suddenly, death looms on the horizon and David no longer talks about the Shepherd, he talks to the Shepherd, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.

Notice something else, this is only the valley of the shadow of death. The shadow of a dog cannot bite, the shadow of a sword cannot kill, the shadow of death cannot harm the child of God. Where there is a shadow there is a light – Jesus (light of the world)