Two misconceptions of God

Psalm 50 reads a lot like the message of the prophets in terms of its contents.  And it tackles two common misconceptions people have of God.

In the first part, God is seen coming into the courtroom, calling the defendants before him.

Who are the defendants?  In context, the people of Israel who were under the covenant of Moses.

But all of us too will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ, so it would be well for us to take into consideration what he says.

The first misconception God addresses is that he only desired outward signs of religion.  That rituals such as sacrifices were all that he really wanted.  But he told the Israelites,

I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.

If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.  Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?  (Psalm 50:9-13)

Basically, he’s saying, “You make all these offerings, but you don’t understand why I require them.  I don’t require them because I’m hungry, poor, and needy.  Everything belongs to me, anyway.

“If I needed food, I’d know where to find it.  But the truth is, I don’t even need food.  That’s not why I ask you to offer them.”

Then he tells the Israelite what he really wants.

Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.  (14-15)

In short, have hearts filled with thanksgiving.  Acknowledge me as your God, as your provider, and as your savior.  Stop trying to live for yourself and by your own strength and wisdom.

He then blasts those who merely look religious, but who in their hearts despise God.  He says,

What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?  You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.

When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.

You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.

You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.  (16-20)

In other words, “You say all the right things.  You sound like you honor me.  But then you go out and live your own way.

To put it into modern terms, “You worship me on Sunday, but live your own way the rest of the week.”

God is not so impressed by religious ritual and outward appearances.  He’s not impressed by how often you go to church, by how much you give to the church, or by how many Bible verses you know.  He wants your heart.

And if he doesn’t have that, everything else means nothing to him.

God then addresses the second misconception people had of him.  He said,

These things you have done and I kept silent;
you thought I was altogether like you.

But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.

Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces,
with none to rescue.  (21-22)

Put another way, “You’ve mistaken my silence for approval of your evil.  I’ve been patient with you waiting for you to repent, but if you don’t judgment will come.  And when it does, it will be too late to repent.”

But then God comes back to his original thought,

He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.  (23)

What does this mean for us?

The first step to salvation is acknowledging God as God.  To stop living as if we are independent of him.  But to live in gratefulness and humbleness before him.

And as we do, it prepares us for the way of salvation as expressed in Christ.

The day of judgment is coming.  So as James wrote,

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  (James 4:10)