Do We Worship with Grateful Hearts?
Written by Administrator Saturday, 22 July 2006 19:00
The world is in a mess … and that’s because the hearts of people are corrupt. We look at the headlines and observe the trends of our culture and, as Christians, wonder when God will set all things right. When will the day of judgment come? In reading the opening lines of Psalm 50 … there is a sense that such a day has arrived.
In this Psalm the reader is thrust into the middle of a “courtroom” scene. Several phrases indicate that.
- The earth is summoned (v. 1).
God is called the judge (v. 6).
The heavens testify (v. 6).
God acts as witness and also brings forth evidence in the case (vv. 7ff).
And God lays out a “charge” (v. 21).
But this plot will take an unexpected twist.
In the first six verses, we find a divine summons. It appears that for some time God has been silent and patient on some issues. But now the time has come for Him to speak. “Our God comes; he does not keep silence …” (v. 3). His coming is as a “devouring fire” and a “mighty tempest” (v. 3). The reader is tempted to think, “Well, it’s about time those rotten sinners are judged!” That’s when the surprise comes. “He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: gather to me my faithful ones, who made covenant with me by sacrifice!” (vv. 4-5). Why would God judge His own people when the world is so corrupt?
In verses 7 through 21 we find the details of a tragic indictment. Two charges are leveled against those who claim to follow God. The first problem that God detects is that His people have a cold heart. That they went through the motions of worship was undeniable. “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me” (v. 8). So what’s the trouble? It was their attitude in worship. “Offer to God a sacrifice of thankgiving …” (v. 14). Their hands were busy, but their hearts were empty. Gratitude for all that God had done was missing. It is so easy to let religion become nothing more than ritual … rather than an expression of a grateful heart.
The second indictment was issued against their hypocritical spirit. In verse 16 these who came to worship recited God’s statutes with their lips … but they refused to live in obedience to those commands. “For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you” (v. 17). They disregarded the instruction of the Word.
As we gather together … are our hearts cold or do we worship with grateful hearts? As we listen and leave the service … do we disregard the Word of the Lord or do we seek to obey?
-- Sparky