Sacrifices and Gratitude (Psalm 50)

Today's full One Year Bible readings:
Numbers 8:1-9:23 ~ Mark 13:14-37 ~ Psalm 50:1-23 ~ Proverbs 10:29-30

In Psalm 50 the worshiper is reminded through the rebuke of the LORD that it is right and pleasing to offer God sacrifices and burnt offerings (verse 8). Yet, it is not because God is in need of anything (verses 9-13). Our offerings should be offered out of deep and sincere gratitude.

¹⁴ Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,

¹⁵ and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

Psalm 50:14-15

He says this, of course, to those who honor the Lord and worship Him; but, to the wicked, His rebuke is clear and heavy - "What right have you to recite my laws...you hate my instruction ...you join thieves and adulterers...you use your mouth for evil...you speak continually against your own brother...these things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face. (see verses 16-21)

Clearly, God is the Judge of the universe. Those who find themselves in opposition to Him have no excuses. They (we) are sin-stained to the core and can only be forgiven by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ - whose sacrifice is fully able to take away the sin of the entire world.

Along those lines, the Psalm ends with a powerful reminder that God will reveal His salvation to those who honor Him. Today, as an act of worship, honor God with your offerings. God desires that we leverage our earthly resources to magnify His glory and advance His kingdom.

²² "Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:

²³ He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,
and he prepares the way
so that I may show him the salvation of God."

Psalm 50:22-23