Our path to God should be paved in thankfulness.
Psalm 50 is prophetic look at God’s judgment to come particularly related to
Israel. In it we see a charge against heartless and hypocritical worship. First
the psalmist gives a glimpse of the judgment to come.
Psalm 50:1-3
The LORD, the Mighty One, is God, and he has spoken; he has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets. From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. Our God approaches and he is not silent. Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around him.
The LORD, the Mighty One, is God, and he has spoken; he has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets. From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. Our God approaches and he is not silent. Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around him.
We hear God’s charge against His chosen people.
Psalm 50:6-7
Then let the heavens proclaim his justice, for God himself will be the judge. Interlude “O my people, listen as I speak. Here are my charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God!
Then let the heavens proclaim his justice, for God himself will be the judge. Interlude “O my people, listen as I speak. Here are my charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God!
Though God is speaking directly to Israel for they are the people
of sacrificial law; in it we can test our own hearts to see if we are
worshipping him as we should. Are we prideful in our religion? Do we think our
offerings to God meet His needs?
Psalm 50:8-13
I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer. But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it. Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats?
I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer. But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it. Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats?
Thankfulness must drive our worship and our prayers. This
brings glory to God.
Psalm 50:14-15
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”
In this rebuke where do we fall?
Psalm 50:16-21
But God says to the wicked: “Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my covenant? For you refuse my discipline and treat my words like trash. When you see thieves, you approve of them, and you spend your time with adulterers. Your mouth is filled with wickedness, and your tongue is full of lies. You sit around and slander your brother— your own mother’s son. While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn’t care. But now I will rebuke you, listing all my charges against you.
But God says to the wicked: “Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my covenant? For you refuse my discipline and treat my words like trash. When you see thieves, you approve of them, and you spend your time with adulterers. Your mouth is filled with wickedness, and your tongue is full of lies. You sit around and slander your brother— your own mother’s son. While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn’t care. But now I will rebuke you, listing all my charges against you.
The patience of God is made evident in how rarely our sin
brings immediate consequence. God is so patient with us, rather than bring
quick judgment, He waits on us to cry out in repentance. Do not mistake that
for apathy towards sin. Judgment will come. But first He sent His Son to give
us opportunity to repent and receive salvation. For that he deserves our
worship and it must be filled with thankfulness.
Psalm 50:23
But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”
But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”
Today give thanks to God. Pave your path with it and receive
His salvation.
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