During every moment, walking or sleeping, we are vulnerable…I could die tonight…tomorrow.”
–Louis L’Amour (Mojave Crossing)
“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
–Romans 14:8 (HCSB)
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Maybe these words from John I. Durham is a good place to start: “It is still easier to offer a bull, sacrifice a goat, make a special gift, or do a job than to grapple with the hard realities of honest faith.” It is also a good section to start in thinking about Thanksgiving.
“This section of Psalm 50 is targeted toward wicked people who pretend to be righteous… God’s message is: ‘Stop the act! Repent! Get back on track, and I will show you salvation!'” (William Petersen) It is an encouragement to trust and giving proper sacrifice doing the will of God.
15 – Call on Me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.”
16 – But God says to the wicked: “What right do you have to recite My statutes and to take My covenant on your lips?
17 – You hate instruction and turn your back on My words.
18 – When you see a thief, you make friends with him, and you associate with adulterers.
19 – You unleash your mouth for evil and harness your tongue for deceit.
20 – You sit, maligning your brother, slandering your mother’s son.
21 – You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But I will rebuke you and lay out the case before you.
22 – “Understand this, you who forget God, or I will tear you apart, and there will be no one to rescue you.
23 – Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and whoever orders his conduct, I will show him the salvation of God.” (HCSB)
The nonbeliever should tremble with these words, but most likely they will ridicule or ignore the warnings of God. Does this not seem like today? People using God’s Word where it suits them, especially in the fulfilling of their agenda with is really godless. They recite God’s words then turn their backs on it. They really do not want to hear what God has to say for it interferes with their lifestyle. I like verse 17 from the NLT:
“For you refuse my discipline and treat my laws like trash.”
Could this be addressed to the culture of today as well as in David’s time? Of course! God’s Word does not change, nor does it alter with time. When we honor God, He honors us. However, there is a day coming. Man has sinned, and God has kept silent. Some take that to mean that God winks at sin; others say it shows that there is no God. No, God is silently waiting; He is longsuffering wanting none to perish but there is a time coming.
“Repent, all of you who ignore me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.” (50:22, NLT)
Very similar to Proverbs 1, where God says, “Mock me, why when you cry out when calamity comes, I’ll mock you; I’ll laugh” (my paraphrase to Proverbs 1:22-33) “Part of the value of God’s silence is that it allows us to be ourselves and thereby reveal ourselves.” (George O. Wood) Are we listening to God? Do we repent when convicted? Which type of person are you–they type that trusts God and lives for Him, or the type that ignores Him, and misuses His Word?
The true believer is safe. The true believer is thankful that God is in control of his life and this world. The true believer can give thanks in the midst of calamity, in the midst of a “pandemic,” in the midst of stress, trials, and terror for God is his salvation. So keep on the path; meaning know the Word and follow it fully. God is there for you.
“With broken heart and contrite sigh,
A trembling sinner, Lord, I cry;
Thy pardoning grace is rich and free:
O God, be merciful to me!”
–Cornelius Elven