Faithful on Fridays Blog

Last week Asaph reminded us of the value of a sacrifice of thanksgiving or letting go of something we value for something of higher value. God considers it a sacrifice when we thank Him during our trials or temptations because it demonstrates that we consider Him the ‘higher value’ than our pity-parties, rage, or opinions. 

This week, on the other hand, God speaks to the wicked. I know what you’re thinking, these are evil and vile people who are going to hell, but the Hebrew word actually means ‘having received a guilty verdict’. Within this court room scene God is speaking to the offender or the ungodly; these people don’t follow Jesus, they just pretend to. They say the right stuff about God, but it’s meaningless because they haven’t entered into covenant with Him. They hate it when He corrects them, they ignore His commandments, and seem pleased with others who get away with crime (vs. 16-17). Doesn’t sound like a Christ-follower.

Adultery is not only condoned by these people, but admired, and they let their mouths have free rein with deceit, opposition, and even slander (vs. 18-20); God is sending out a warning shot across the bow. He was silent before, but as time moves ahead toward the return of Christ, that silence will be broken. He’s the Great I AM, the polar opposite of them, but His charges are well documented. They are have no defense attorney, are ready for the guilty verdict, and have no recourse (vs. 21-22). It will be final.

This may all seem harsh, however, God always gives people chances to humble themselves and repent with forgiveness readily available. Jesus received our well-deserved punishment on the cross as our Substitute so that we receive an innocent verdict by faith in Him. It’s not hard; you’d have to have someone help you to misunderstand it. God, the Judge, is crying out for us to consider His words so that He doesn’t have to deliver the death penalty.

He’s giving a serious word of prophecy in this psalm for us to ponder, and yet closes it with words of encouragement.

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God! Psalm 50:23 ESV

For me, this psalm causes me to reflect on my attitudes and words against other people who don’t meet my standards. Oh, I have good reasons to judge them, but is that my job? This is an election year, it’ll be very easy to make judgments on those who think differently, but I caution both of us, consider your words carefully so you don’t give them ‘free rein’. Our Lord’s love corrects us for our own good and I want to hear, “Well done, My good and faithful servant. You had opportunities to judge, but rejected them.” Ask the Spirit for strength today to offer a sacrifice of silence, keeping your judgments to yourself, allowing God to be the Judge.