True Worship

We have lost sight of the judgment of God today. Augustine said "God made us in his image and we have returned the favor casting Him in our image." God is not what we want Him to be. He is the judge of all the earth and sees every deed and knows every heart.

“Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice. (Psalm 50:5, 6)

In Psalm 50, God calls his people to account for themselves. There are three groups He addresses. The ritualistic worshiper, the fake worshiper, and the true worshiper.

The ritualistic worshiper:
"I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” (Psalm 50:8-10, 14, 15)

The worship of these people had grown stale. They went through the motions without every putting their heart into it. They lost sight of Gods deliverance and care for them. Sometimes that is us, just letting our faith grow to a form instead of a living relationship. God is not after our display of religion, He wants a loving and living relationship with His people!  What a God we serve!

Then He addresses the fake worshiper:
But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you. (Psalm 50:16, 17, 21)

These are the people who walked in sin and then came to worship and went through the motions like everyone else. They believed God's silence meant His approval. Nothing could be less true, now He will hold them accountable. God is not after a form of religion, He wants to change our lives and how we treat one another.

Finally, the true worshiper:
Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.” (Psalm 50:23)

The true worshiper worships with gratitude and walks in obedience because they know God's commands are for our good and not for our evil.  True worship is thankful for the loving guidance of the God who cares.




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