Taken In

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Today's reading, titled Taken In, was written by David Roper. My old dog sits by my side and stares off into space, a penny for her thoughts. One thing I know she isn't thinking about is dying because dogs don't understand. They don't think about future things, but we do. No matter our age, or health, or wealth, we at some point think about dying.

That's because we, unlike beasts, have understanding according to Psalm 4920. We know that we will die, and there's nothing we can do about it. Verse 7 says, No one can redeem the life of another, or give to God a ransom for them.

No one has enough money to buy himself or herself out of the grave. But there is a way out of the finality of death. God will redeem me from the realm of the dead, insists the psalmist. He will surely take me to himself.

Robert Frost said, Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in. 1 Timothy 2 tells us that God has redeemed us from death through his son, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. Thus Jesus promised in John 14 that when our time comes, he will greet us and take us in. When my time comes, Jesus, who gave to God the price of my life, will welcome me into his Father's house with open arms.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 49 verses 5-20. Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No one can redeem the life of another, or give to God a ransom for them. The ransom for a life is costly. No payment is ever enough, so that they should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations.

Though they had named lands after themselves, people, despite their wealth, do not endure. They are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die. Death will be their shepherd, but the upright will prevail over them in the morning. Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 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 splendor of their houses increases, for they will take nothing with them when they die. Their splendor 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, who will never again see the light of life.

People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish. Let's pray. Dear God, we are so grateful that you have provided a place for your children and we look forward to being at home with you one day. Help us to live in anticipation of that day and invite others to join us as we share your love with them. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.