Daily Journal: 8 June

Should We Be Striving?

What do you place value in? Position? Power? Wealth?

All around me, I see people striving, jostling for a place in their own little race of life; striving to make a name for themselves, striving to be noticed, striving to be ahead of the competition, striving to be counted as more than others, seeking prosperity, prestige, fine things… but what will last in the end? None of these things will go with you when you die.

Should we be striving?

Absolutely. But not for what we think.

Psalm 49 brings you down to earth with a thud. The reality of life and death is an absolute that no person can change. This earthly life is fleeting but God and the eternal remains.

In the end the only things that we will care about is what we’ve decided on for eternity and how we’ve lived here to secure our position there.

Psalm 49:7, 12, 15-20 (NIV)

No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—

People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.

But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendour of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendour will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed—and people praise you when you prosper—they will join those who have gone before them,

People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.

This was not written by someone impoverished and resentful. This was written by a man who knew great wealth and had amassed more than most.

So, what should we be striving for?

Proverbs 4:7 (NKJB)

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

Proverbs 1:7 (NASB)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 4:5-7 (NASB)

Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not abandon her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your possessions, acquire understanding.

Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 (NLV)

But more than this, my son, be careful. There is no end to the writing of many books and reading many of them makes the body tired. The last word, after all has been heard, is: Honor God and obey His Laws. This is all that every person must do. For God will judge every act, even everything which is hidden, both good and bad.