Aug-06-0484-Thanksgiving as a sacrifice
484_Thanksgiving as a sacrifice Psalm 50:1-6 The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah 14-15 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” In a room filled with emotion, a woman named Mary Johnson sat across from the man who had murdered her only son. It had been years since the tragedy—years filled with grief, anger, and emptiness. The man, named O’Shea Israel, had been a teenager when he pulled the trigger in a gang-related incident. Mary, though a committed Christian, wrestled with bitterness for years. Until one day she made a radical decision. She visited him in prison. At first, their meetings were cold and strained. But over time, something began to change. Mary started to see not just a killer, but a broken young man in need of grace. Eventually, she forgave him. Not only that, she welcomed him into her neighborhood when he was released and treated him like a son. When asked how she could do it, Mary said, “I chose to forgive because I realized I couldn’t worship God with bitterness in my heart. My healing came when I let go and gave thanks—not for what happened, but for what God was doing through it.” Psalm 50 celebrates a God who is not impressed with outward religion, but who commends a heart of trust and thanksgiving as that which glorifies him. Asaph, the psalmist, paints a majestic and terrifying courtroom scene. God, the righteous Judge, summons all people from east to west. He appears not in silence or gentleness, but with fire and tempest, radiating glory from Zion. The heavens are called to witness, not to the sin of the world, but to the judgment of His own people. In verse 5, God declares, “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” These were not outsiders or unbelievers. These were His covenant people, covenanted by sacrifice. The heavens declare God’s righteousness, Asaph says, for He is the true and perfect Judge. As Psalm 89:14 reminds us, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” This Judge is holy, just, and consistent. And now, He brings forth His complaint. In verses 7 to 15, God turns to His people and begins with startling words: