Slain Day 15 Abdiwelli Ahmed: Digging Deeper
May 2, 2025
Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Psalm 49:5-9
The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.
6 They trust in their wealth
and boast of their abundant riches.
7 Yet these cannot redeem a person
or pay his ransom to God —
8 since the price of redeeming him is too costly,
one should forever stop trying —
9 so that he may live forever
and not see the Pit.
The Original Intent
1) What is the context of the psalmist’s question and why does it matter? (verse 5)
You’ll see it over and over again in our studies at Gracefully Truthful because it’s so essential, “Don’t just read a verse; read the context!”. Without the broader picture, we can’t gain a right understanding of Scripture. Sometimes that means 8 verses instead of 1, or a chapter instead of a paragraph, or sometimes it means the whole book. For studying any passage in the book of psalms, I implore you, fellow student of God’s Holy Word, read the whole psalm! With right understanding, we can make right application, thereby building strong and steady lives. (Psalm 119:45)
Psalm 49 uniquely begins with a bit of tongue in cheek humor and a hint of sarcasm woven into its words. Missing out on reading the whole chapter will leave a lackluster perspective on the psalm, and you would miss out on extremely impactful applications, so go ahead, read the whole chapter!
Did you note the author of the psalm? Details matter, so check the heading and you’ll likely find “For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah”. So what, right? Think again! This arrogant Dad, Korah, was swallowed by the earth for his rebellion against God, but his sons were mercifully spared! (Numbers 26:9-11) These sons, who witnessed God’s righteous justice take the life of their dad grew up to be worship leaders for Israel. Psalm 49 is one of their poems set to music. (verse 3)
The sons pen a psalm that cleverly asks a riddle, but this isn’t simply a play on words, it’s a riddle rooted within their own heritage. The answer has been played out in the days, months, and decades since these men watched God’s judgment exact justice from the rebellious ones, which included their own dad.
Years later, Korah’s sons know the answer to the question they ply because they have witnessed its reality; more so, they have lived its truths and they write, and sing, so all will remember the truths they have come to know as richly as their own family tree.
The Everyday Application
1) To whom did Paul write this passage and why?
If self-centeredness was an underlying problem among believers in the first century, how much more it is now! Today’s world is driven by the individual.
We talk about self-esteem, self-reliance, self-help…and people continue to become more isolated. Yes, even in the Christian “community.” We need a revival! We, as the Church, need to re-invigorate our faith and this happens when we come together with a singular purpose, worship for the Father which overflows onto loving those around us.
Persecution has always existed, and will continue until Jesus returns, but our calling to love God and love others through the unified Body of Christ remains constant.
Are you with me?!
The Original Intent
2) What is humility and how was the audience to achieve it?
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less, as my pastor says. It requires consideration of other people, putting yourself in their shoes, anticipating their needs. Humility is an active setting aside of your own desires and a deference to others’ needs (not their selfish desires).
Jesus Christ exemplified humility in its highest form by going to the cross, as Paul stated in verses 7-8. He humbled himself by being obedient; the Philippians were to look to Him as their example.
The Everyday Application
2) What is humility and how was the audience to achieve it?
In isolation, humility evaporates. Self, left alone, will focus on self. It’s sort of a catch-22 situation…so how do we break the cycle? Paul would exhort us to remember who we are in Christ, to look to Him as our example, and to do what He did: get out there and help people!
When truly thinking of others and wanting to meet their needs, it’s nearly impossible to be prideful. There are so many ways to love people through churches and community organizations. Perhaps you even know someone personally who would be blessed by you, maybe someone the Spirit is bringing to mind right now.
Pray about how, and who, you can help, then take a step toward humility by being obedient to the Spirit’s prompting. He will be gracious to help you in your efforts!
The Original Intent
3) What does it mean to have fellowship with the Spirit?
Every Christian, both first century and present-day, as well as all who came between, have been given the gift of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Because the Philippian believers also had the Holy Spirit within each of them, they could each fellowship with Him.
But the Spirit will also elicit concern for other believers in the hearts of those He indwells. If this is acted upon, a deeper and truer fellowship with the Spirit can occur.
The Everyday Application
3) What does it mean to have fellowship with the Spirit?
How many of us race through life at a break-neck pace, falling into bed exhausted only to do it all again the next day? Sound familiar?
My life isn’t exactly at break-neck pace, but because of some health issues, I require more rest than most people. Because of that, I never feel like I have enough time to do everything that I want to do.
When I don’t feel like I have enough time, I don’t take any time to just BE…to be with the Lord, to pay attention to the Holy Spirit leading me. Maybe you can relate, dear sister. In fact, I can almost guarantee that most of us feel this way. We’re doing ourselves a disservice by skipping this communion and we’re also being disobedient by not making God our first and foremost.
We should wake up with excitement to see what God will do through us that day. Instead, I wake up dreading the workday and traffic. God probably rolls His eyes at me. Ha!
In churches, we consider “fellowship” a meal (or at least snacks!) with other Christians, for the purpose of visiting, connecting, and learning about one another’s lives. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit can be just such a time! Tell Him about the realities of your life and listen for nudges of what He wants you to do and who He wants you pray for!
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