Psalm 50:4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people.
Yesterday we had a dramatic courtroom scene where God was judging leaders for their abuse of power and oppression of the poor and needy. Today we again see a courtroom scene, this time where God has gathered His covenant people (Israel) for a warning.
The psalm is written by Asaph, who was a Levite appointed by David. In this psalm, he details God’s arrival, His coming in power, to deliver a verdict on the worship and obedience of the Israelites. In this scene He is not judging the pagan nations, only His covenant people. He exposes their false security in the sacrifices they make to Him according to the Law but they ignore the inward devotion they should have that goes along with making sacrifices.
This courtroom scene is one of great importance. We know this because God appears in a tempest, a violent, chaotic storm characterized by strong winds, rain, and thunder. He calls the entire universe, the heavens and the earth, the celestial and terrestrial, to be witness to His ruling.
The goal of this proceeding is not to destroy His people or condemn them. Rather, it is to correct them and set them back on the path to righteous living. Their sacrifices they were bringing to Him satisfied the legal requirements of the Law, but their worship was lacking. They lacked the obedience and love that should accompany their sacrifices, and because of this God rejected their offerings. His desire is for heart-centered worship, that of obedience, offerings made with gratitude and honor. And this scene was set to remind the people of Israel of this fact and help them to make correction to their ways.
What does this mean to us, Gentiles that are living thousands of years later?
Just like the Israelites it is easy for us to fall into the pattern of going to church and doing all of the “Christian” things. But is our heart truly in it? Are we really living a life for Him or are we living a life that only appears to be lived for Him?
Today I invite you to examine your heart. Examine your behaviors, your thoughts, you worship. Are you doing it with the right heart posture? Or are you in the habit of doing all of the procedures and actions of a modern day Christian?
Remember, God sees through the outward religious performances we engage in. He sees our heart and He wants true, heartfelt, genuine devotion and righteousness. That is what we should be engaged in and that is what our daily life should declare.
Prayer: Lord, I don’t want my worship to be habit or empty ritual. I want to honor You and glorify Your Name. Examine my heart and reveal to me the ritualistic actions I need to eliminate. Amen
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