But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave.
Psalm 49:15 NLT
It’s the words that I miss that do the damage. If I was reading a sentence where every second word was missing, I would either not have a clue about what was being said or, in some cases, I would get the completely opposite meaning. So I read this verse and, as normal, I don’t pay any real attention to the words ‘the power of.’ I know that one day I’ll die. I know that one day I’ll be at my own funeral. But do I believe that the grave, ie death, is pulling me there? Do I really understand the power that it can literally have over my life?
More to the point, do I understand the power it has over the lives of those who are dearest to me? I am sure that I would do all I could to protect my family in any situation. I would warn then of risk, pull them back from danger, donate organs for life-saving treatment. But what do I do to warn them of the power of the grave? Death has a terrible power over their lives which they cannot fight and resist.
I need to warn them of that power, and tell them of the alternative. I cannot snatch then from that power, but I know someone who can.