11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

If we understand that we are like the grass, temporary and subject to the seasonal dictates of a short life of less than say 100 years then we also should easily understand the second part of this verse: “So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits”. What does that tells us:

1. No one, absolutely no one will be able to subvert the system,
2. No one, absolutely no one will make it out of this life alive.

That being the case, you may as well go all in and devote yourself to reading, learning and living God’s Word as you go about your daily life.

It’s absolutely critical we read our Bibles daily. Get a paper Bible that you can write it. Don’t rely on your phone or tablet or device. Get a quality Bible – an ESV is a great Bible - I use an ESV study bible as well as a large print, red letters ESV as that easier to read when I’m preaching.

Get a good quality Bible and read it every day. If you can’t afford one, go to a local Christian Church and ask them if they have one that you can have. They’ll give you one for sure.

Genuine Faith Good Works life key no.9 – “Be fully aware, no one, but no one beats the system – no one makes it out of this life alive. Your days really are numbered – make each one of them count.”

James 1:12

12 Blessed is the man (the person, the individual) who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

This is a really interesting verse and is a second reference to trials and being steadfast – first being in verse 2. James 1: 2 -

Blessed is “to be envied, empowered to increase, empowered to prosper”… think about it this way – to be envied and empowered to increased is the person who remains steadfast under trial.

Think about that next time things aren’t going well! It’s when we stand up to these tests and trials that the benefits start to accumulate – we become better at solving problems, we meet others that also solve problems, we are encouraged by seeing people under stress or pressure actually succeed and come out from it all – we get stronger as we go. It really is true that with a correct attitude and approach, that which does not kill you makes you stronger!

For the Christian, this carries an extra reward of getting God’s attention across the process. When we truly understand that our fleshly bodies are nothing but grass, our lives a mere vapour, then and only then I believe, are we able to truly craft out the correct perspectives and formulate more God-aligned priorities.

Psalm 39:4-5

4 Lord, make me to know my end and [to appreciate] the measure of my days—what it is; let me know and realize how frail I am [how transient is my stay here].

5 Behold, You have made my days as [short as] handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight. Truly every man at his best is merely a breath! Selah [pause, and think calmly of that]!

Hence again, the need to be truly conscious of where we fit in the Divine planning and processes that are unfolded everyday here on earth.