Make A Simple Sacrifice of Thanks to The Lord - Christian Perspectives
The Psalmist in Psalm 50 reported that God had no complaint about the sacrifices offered by His people. He went on to say that they should make a simple sacrifice of thanks to the Lord.
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Psalm 50:14
This Psalm makes it plain that God will issue judgment went needed. His judgment though comes by way of His justice. In verse 5, He will gather all of His people together.
“Bring my faithful people to me—those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.” I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer. Psalm 50 5,8
God said, “I do not need the bulls from your barns.” “I know every bird on the mountains.” And He went on to say, “all the world is mine and everything in it.”
We don’t make animal sacrifices and God doesn’t mandate us to. So, why is this important to us?
Well, for some reason many Christians feel they need to make sacrifices to God. Also, in the name of serving the Lord, they will give up certain things for certain time periods.
Others will sacrifice their happiness because they believe God wants them to suffer for Him. Granted, there are some things we don’t indulge in because they go against God’s Word. Those don’t constitute a sacrifice, they show our obedience.
The Psalmist continued by saying we should make a simple sacrifice of thanks to the Lord. Then he said we should also keep the vows we make to God.
God Takes Care of His People Now
We know, because we have the New Testament, that heaven waits for those who are faithful to Him. But what about the perks He gives us for serving Him while we are still on the earth.
Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” Psalm 50:15
He is there for us and He just wants us to bring Him glory. Then in the next couple of verses, he talked about the wicked. I have written a related post called His Faithful Love Endures Forever.
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. Psalm 50:16-17
Even though God remains silent when people are doing wicked or ungodly things, the Lord sees everything that’s happening. Look at what God said.
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. Psalm 50:21
God, however, is fair and just. He gives us a chance to turn from our sinful and forgetful ways. Those who don’t will suffer the consequences.
Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you. Psalm 50:22
Back to the Sacrifice of Thanks
The very last verse in this Psalm brings us back to where this devotion started. That we should make a simple sacrifice of thanks to the Lord.
“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.” Psalm 50:23
Lord, we want to honor you in everything we do. Therefore receive the sacrifice of praise that comes from our lips. And keep us reminded that thankfulness is a sacrifice that is precious to you.
Psalm 50 is a loaded with great information. Take time to check it out.
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