 The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah
7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me.9 I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. 12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” 16 But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers. 19 “You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. 22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly will show the salvation of God!” Meditation A deeper experience with God’s grace will cultivate the growth of grateful praise and thanksgiving from our hearts. Grace is not a contract we keep or an agreement we pay to maintain. Grace is a free gift whereby believers receive the blessing of God’s faithfulness through covenant relationship guaranteed by God’s expense through the person and work of Jesus. The Mosaic covenant ceremony at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 20-24) dominates the imagery of Psalm 50. Remembrance of the gathering around the mountain (1-5), allusions to the Ten Commandments (7, 18-20), and the consequences of covenant misalignment (16-17) all recall the Mosaic covenant ceremony. Central to the covenant relationship is sacrifice, (5) but rather than empty sacrifices that do not truly give God worship (8-13) the Lord commands sacrifices of grateful praise (14-15) and thankfulness (23). The sacrifice the Lord desires arises from seeing His covenant faithfulness, ultimately revealed in the sacrifice God Himself makes to guarantee covenant relationship with His people. Jesus’ sacrifice seals the New Covenant, a better covenant than the Mosaic (Hebrews 7:22). Jesus’ sacrifice is the final, once and for all sacrifice for those who believe (Hebrews 10:1-14). There is no contract or repayment in Covenant relationship through Christ’s sacrifice, only a response of grateful praise and thankfulness manifest in obedience. Christians do everything in the name of Jesus, giving thanks (Colossians 3:17) in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), our lips and lives offering a sacrifice of praise bringing glory to God (Hebrews 13:15-16). Believers are secure in God’s covenant love! We must give thanks with a grateful heart! Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the focus on a right sacrifice in worship of our covenant God? -We are secure in the covenant by sacrifice (5) and know Christ’s sacrifice is once and for all- totally complete! How does this truth deepen and develop our gratitude and thanksgiving? -How can you practice gratitude DAILY, built into daily routines like brushing teeth or drinking coffee or driving or eating meals…? Be specific. Key Verse 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly will show the salvation of God!”
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