Going Through the Motion of Devotion

O. T. #1243  "Going Through the Motion of Devotion"
July 18, 2018
Psalm 50
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High. And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.  Psalm 50:14-15

LET IT GLOW

Is this your day of trouble? Anyone need delivering in your day of trouble? We can have it. god tells us how in this chapter. Read on, friend.

Asaph was a musician appointed by David to preside over the sacred choral services of Israel (1 Chron. 16:5). He was a poet and wrote 12 psalms, this being the first. (His descendants probably wrote some after his death.) Falwell

First of all, Asaph describes God as:

• Mighty God-el in the Hebrew language means strength, power, goodly, great, Almighty God is El Shaddai, the God who is Self-sufficient and supplies my need; Self-existent One;
• speaking, He summons all humanity;
• perfection of beauty; (verse 2)
• shining in glorious radiance;
• approaches and is not silent; (verse 3)
• being surrounded by flames and hurricanes, His attendants;
• Judge who pronounces sentence; (verse 4)
• Righteousness, the right, just; (verse 6)
• speaking and testifying that I am God, even thy God; (verse 7)

Are we praising God for who He is? Reading the list is why we can be still and know He is God. He would not be God if He were anything less, would He?
Along with His mightiness, god is loving, compassionate, merciful to us sinners. What an Amazing God and Awesome God we serve!

LET IT GROW

The penalty of sin is death. Sin must be paid for. During the OT times, a sacrificial animal which met the requirements of purity were acceptable to God, being a substitute for the person. It symbolized faith in God to forgive and show mercy. However, those sacrifices became a ritual. Their hearts were not in it. Israel was going through the motions of devotion. They were not obediently following God's laws and living righteously.

Have you ever asked what is pleasing and acceptable to God? We can find the answer here:

1. It is the sacrifice of a heart devoted to God. Instead of the outward sacrifices, God wants us, our love and devotion.
2. It is the sacrifice of thanksgiving that He desires from us. (verse 14) 
3. He wants us to keep the vows we made to Him.
4. He desires praise that glorifies Him.

We must put our sacrifice of praise in the hands of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, who presents it to God. Jesus is our Sacrificial Lamb of God that takes away our sins.
Did you notice what happens in our key verse whenever we give thanksgiving unto God as a sacrifice, as well as keep our vows to Him? He will deliver us in our day of trouble as we call upon Him. Wow!

Are we surrendered to God, to do His will, His way?
Are we thankful for what God does for us?
Does God have our heart, our whole heart?
Is He our first love?
Do we thank and praise Him through out the day?
Ouch.

LET IT GO

Almighty God, You are so loving and kind. Thank You for Your mercy toward this sinner. Thank You for all You give and do for me. I praise You sweet Jesus, for Your sacrifice for me. Help me to keep my vows made to You. Help me to stop going through the motion of devotion. In Jesus' name, amen.