Day 149
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| Stand as a Witness for God |
Weekly Devotional
May 28—
Psalm 50: Saints on Trial
Reflection
As Job continues his frustrating discussion with his friends, he affirms his innocence. Despite their unending advice, Job is no closer to an answer to his great question: "Why?" Enter Elihu, a fourth friend who defends God's dealings with men. Even so, Job remains consumed by depression.
Perhaps you can identify with Job today. If so, take the opportunity to pause in your Bible reading program to take a deep breath from the Psalms. Let God himself speak to you through the pen of Asaph in Psalm 50 to help you examine your own worship of him to see if your motives are proper.
Perhaps you can identify with Job today. If so, take the opportunity to pause in your Bible reading program to take a deep breath from the Psalms. Let God himself speak to you through the pen of Asaph in Psalm 50 to help you examine your own worship of him to see if your motives are proper.
Demonstrate Faith!
Psalm 50 describes a courtroom scene. God the righteous Judge has issued subpoenas to both the saints and the wicked, commanding them to be present to hear his judgment upon their conduct. With heaven and earth acting as a jury, God calls the trial to order.
Then as surprise move, God himself takes the witness stand to give testimony about his covenant people. Outwardly they are practicing the forms of worship, but inwardly they have abandoned the attitude of worship. They are insincere, merely "going through the motions," with no intention of cultivating the qualities of love, faithfulness, and mercy God desires. They have allowed the sacrifice to replace service, and burnt offerings to replace devotion to God.
God hammers home his point: He is not concerned about the meat of the sacrifice, but rather the motive behind the sacrifice. He is looking for thankfulness and dedication on the part of his worshipers, rather than sterile, mechanical obedience.
Stop and consider why you do what you do in your worship of God. Do you attend church regularly because it is the socially acceptable thing to do, or because you hunger and thirst for God? Do you give to missions because you want to get the gospel message to a dying world, or because it is easier than being a missionary to unsaved relatives and neighbors? Put yourself on the witness stand for a moment and examine your worship of God. Is it sincere? If not, what needs to change before your life will offer praise that glorifies him?
Then as surprise move, God himself takes the witness stand to give testimony about his covenant people. Outwardly they are practicing the forms of worship, but inwardly they have abandoned the attitude of worship. They are insincere, merely "going through the motions," with no intention of cultivating the qualities of love, faithfulness, and mercy God desires. They have allowed the sacrifice to replace service, and burnt offerings to replace devotion to God.
God hammers home his point: He is not concerned about the meat of the sacrifice, but rather the motive behind the sacrifice. He is looking for thankfulness and dedication on the part of his worshipers, rather than sterile, mechanical obedience.
Stop and consider why you do what you do in your worship of God. Do you attend church regularly because it is the socially acceptable thing to do, or because you hunger and thirst for God? Do you give to missions because you want to get the gospel message to a dying world, or because it is easier than being a missionary to unsaved relatives and neighbors? Put yourself on the witness stand for a moment and examine your worship of God. Is it sincere? If not, what needs to change before your life will offer praise that glorifies him?
Prayer
O God, how Great thou are! As we read your words in Psalm, we realize how far short we fall of your desire for us. You say, 'I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you, and you can give me glory.' It sounds so simple. And we suppose it would be if we would simply obey! Lord, enable us to trust you in the tough times. Job did, and he faced so many more trials than we may ever face in our life. Let us learn from him to give you true praise as a worthy sacrifice. In Jesus' powerful name we pray! Amen!
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| The Greatest Sacrifice—Praise Him! |
