Hovering over Psalm 50 this morning.

At its essence, the song seems to be a wakeup call for the people of God. People who are faithful in religious ritual to God but far away in real relationship with God. A people who have become accustomed to thinking that their obedience in bringing animal sacrifices to the temple is somehow meeting the needs of a God who has need of nothing, “For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills . . . and all that moves in the field is Mine” (50:10-11).

Instead, God says, I’m not interested in ritualistic sacrifice, I desire right sacrifice. I don’t really care about your by rote sequences, but more about directing your life based on the right settings. Then, says God, I will be glorified. And you? You will know a real salvation.

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

(Psalm 50:14-15 ESV)

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

(Psalm 50:23 ESV)

It’s been said here before, repetition is the megaphone of Scripture. And here we have repetition. God is shouting to His people.

Thanksgiving glorifies God. Living in a manner consistent with our calling glorifies God. Seeking Him in the day of trouble glorifies God. Living in the reality of the on-going need for His daily deliverance glorifies God. These, at least in part, are the dynamics of a real salvation.

A reminder that we can honor God with our lips yet have hearts far from Him. A check on our propensity to order our way according to our own way under the guise of walking in His way. A wake up call that self-sufficiency has a way of stifling a living and active relationship with the One who redeemed us for Himself. A reorientation to do whatever we do for the glory of God.

So, it seems to me, it starts with a right sacrifice, an offering of thanksgiving overshadowing all other offerings. It depends on a right setting, ordering our walk according to His word and walking our walk in prayerful dependence on His power. Thus resulting in a real salvation. A living relationship with the living God. An active engagement with the One who created us and is re-creating us.

And all this for His glory.

And all this only by His grace.