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"The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth...Our God comes; he does not keep silence;"

~ Psalm 50:1a,3a

 

This psalm is noted as a psalm of Asaph, but it contains very few words that are actually his.  It mostly contains direct pronouncements from God.  Having received this word of revelation, Asaph gets our attention by describing who God is and what he is like in the opening verses (v.1-4,6) and then makes way for God to speak for himself (v.5,7-23). 

God himself is Judge (v.6)…the Mighty One (v.1)…God the LORD (v.1)…the Most High (v.14).  He shines forth (v.2)…is a devouring fire (v.3)…is surrounded by a mighty tempest (v.3)…he summons the earth (v.1)…and calls to the heavens (v.4)…his righteousness is declared throughout the heavens (v.6). 

He speaks (v.1,3,7), witnessing to his own testimony (v.7)…he is the owner of everything (v.10), the world and all its fullness (v.12)…he does not just own everything but intimately knows it all (v.11)…he is not like mankind (v.21), having hunger and need of eating and drinking (v.12-13)…he is the Law-Giver and Covenant-Maker (v.16)…he is patient and corrective, declaring truth and calling to account (v.21).

Therefore, perfunctory worship (rote, ritualistic, transactional sacrifices) are not God’s desire (v.8-9).  He is after our hearts.  He wants a sacrifice of thanksgiving from our heart (v.14,23).  He wants our way ordered rightly before him according to his Word (v.23). 

It is to such a one that God shows salvation and such a one glorifies God (v.23).  These are the ones gathered to God as a faithful one (v.5) and are delivered in the day of trouble (v.15).

This psalm makes me think about Genesis 4 with Cain and Abel and their sacrifices.  From the very beginning, sinful man has sought to “buy God off” with some form of superficial shortcut reconciliation.  But it never has and never will suffice.  This is a “theme thread” running through all of Scripture, leading us to the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus that fully supplies actual and eternal reconciliation, propitiation, justification, sanctification and glorification.  Praise God for Jesus Christ!

Examine your heart today…are you offering or relying on a lesser sacrifice than Christ?  Does your way of life evidence that you are forgetting God (v.22)?  Is your heart truly grateful…seeking to glorify God through sacrifices of thanksgiving (v.14,23)? 

Read this Psalm along with Colossians 3:12-17 and BE THANKFUL!