Psalm 49:1-12 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 49:1-12 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
Verse 2both low and high, rich and poor together.
Verse 3My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
Verse 4I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.
Verse 5Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,
Verse 6those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
Verse 7Truly, no ransom avails for one's life, there is no price one can give to God for it.
Verse 8For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice
Verse 9that one should live on forever and never see the grave.
Verse 10When we look at the wise, they die; fool and dolt perish together and leave their wealth to others.
Verse 11Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own.
Verse 12Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.
Devotion
"... though they named lands their own. ..."
This summer, millions of youth will experience the majesty of God's creation through camping ministries. They will leave their homes, turn off their phones, and join communities gathered around friendship, song, and scripture. They will swim, hike, play, and swat away mosquitoes. They will learn much, including an appreciation for the land — not a land that they own, but a land that is God's.
A week at a Christian summer camp is a priceless experience. Whether or not we are fortunate enough to enjoy a week in the woods this summer, may we all find a pause in our day to appreciate God's beautiful creation. May we all find a moment to stand in awe of the lands that are God's own.
Prayer
Lord of all creation, you created this world that provides for us in abundance. Help us to appreciate our home, and to turn away from the practices of thinking the lands are "our own" and exploiting the environment. Amen.