TUESDAY, AUGUST 21
Psalm 50:1-23
Isaiah 1:18

“And call upon me in the day of trouble:
I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

WHEN GOD EXAMINES EVERY CHURCH-GOER

This Psalm is the first of twelve ascribed to Asaph. He most probably is the one (according to 2 Chronicles 29:30) placed side by side with David as a psalmist. Asaph was one of David’s three choir leaders (1 Chron 25:1). 

This Psalm is easily divided into three parts. (I) The Lord comes to judge the earth (vv 1- 6). (II) He comes to examine His own people who sacrifice to Him (vv 7-15). (III) He exposes the hypocritical worshippers by showing up their wicked deeds (vv 16-21). He concludes with a threat to them that forget Him and with a benediction to the obedient.

In this Psalm God comes to judge His people in the Old Testament and the same judgment must be applied to us (2 Cor 5:10).

First, He would like to see whether we fear Him by keeping our vows and love Him with sincere thanksgiving. Not the outward form of bringing sacrifices of slain oxen and sheep in plenty. Actually God owns all (Ps 50:10). We might give our houses or lands, hundreds and thousands of dollars to the Lord. But, is our motive to glorify God or self? Let us examine our hearts each time we give to God whether our gift is acceptable.

Surely it is not acceptable, as the examination goes on, to find the worshippers not only not right with God but also not right with their brethren. These who come to Church to criticise sermons (Ps 50:17), who despise God’s Word. These who are abettors of thieves, who join with those who cheat and defraud in their business dealings. These who go secretly to places of sin with their friends. These who lie and speak to deceive. These who practise character assassination against Church and family members. These who lower God’s level of holiness and purity to that of their own. These who forget God, “who honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matt 15:8), are to be torn to pieces (Ps 50:22). But those who worship God in sincerity and in truth are accepted (Ps 50:23).

THOUGHT: How I worship God determines how He judges me.
PRAYER: Father, may I always worship Thee in sincerity and in truth.