Psalm 49

“This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah. Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah. Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), he, shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish.” Psalm 49:13-20 (NKJV)

In early 2016, Republican political outsider Donald Trump began amassing power. One by one, he took down establishment “shoe-in” candidates. His style was brash and unpredictable. His campaign slogan was simple: “Make America Great Again.”  On an election night that stunned the nation, Trump won.  

Donald Trump’s presidential victory was primarily because Americans were tired of politicians. They believed a billionaire (the man whose book “The Art Of The Deal” was a best-seller) could make us prosperous again. Time would tell whether Trump would bring back financial & military prosperity to the nation through shrewd business deals. Sadly, many Americans don’t read the Bible. If they did, they would have gleaned wisdom from today’s psalm entitled “Confidence of the Foolish  .”Remember, God does not look at the outward appearance; He judges the heart.

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

Based on today’s psalm, ask yourself what good it is for a nation to become financially & militarily prosperous yet lose its soul.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37 (NKJV)

Our nation should trust the Lord and, specifically, place its faith in the Messiah Jesus. Only He can redeem our souls “from the power of the grave.”

“If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:9-12 (NKJV)