I know that everyone is talking about the Super Bowl right now, and the number 50! There's something powerful about the number 50. It has been 50 years since the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. Whether you like JLo or not, she performed in the Super Bowl at 50. The number 50 can mean jubilee, reconciliation, and freedom. I was not thinking of any of this when I happened to open my Bible to Psalm 50. And I believe Psalm 50 has some keys for us.
Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him. Psalm 50:3
He is announcing that He is the God of fire. He's the God of a comeback just like in the Super Bowl. And even in America, it's not too late for you to come back to your place of honor among the nations. Where you have been a laughingstock, you are to return to your seat of honor as you give Him honor. Let's examine Psalm 50 further to shows us what that means to honor Him.
God's Majesty and Justice
He is a God of justice. (Psalm 50:6) The beginning of the Psalm describes His majesty. "From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent a fire devours before Him." Psalm 50:2-3
In the Old Testament, they were required to offer sacrifices on the altar and God would come and consume them in fire. Yet in this Psalm (in the Old Testament), He says, "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." Psalm 50:9-10 He then asks a rhetorical question, "Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?" Psalm 50:13 In the line before that He states, "If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it." Psalm 50:12He makes a case for His majesty and His divinity. In essence He's saying, I'm not like you, I don't need to eat, and even if I did, I would not need your bulls!
God's Desire
He goes on to say, "Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." Psalm 50:14-15 He finishes the psalm by repeating, "Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation." Psalm 50:23
Even as He begins the Psalm emphasizing His justice, His primary desire is to receive our thanks and obedience and for us to be humble enough to call on Him when we need help. I personally have found myself complaining lately after a few setbacks, but the Lord abides in the worship of His people. He comes near to our thanksgiving. In some ways I liken it to us not wanting to hang out with people that complain all the time! Isn't it more fun when someone appreciates you and is thankful for you? God feels much the same; He loves our cheerful company.
The last straw this month was when I hurt my back. I tried everything. I went to a massage person and two different chiropractors, but nothing really helped. Then I called on the Lord in tears, and He came and met me and some of the pain just lifted. He also met me and showed me some emotional pain that I was carrying. God loves it when we draw near to Him. He loves to hear from us.
God's Promise
Another way the Lord showed me to look at Psalm 50:14-15 is that it is like a contract. Sacrifice, thank offerings, be obedient, call on me, and I will deliver you. If we are thankful and obedient, He promises His deliverance. And He is not a God who can lie. Another key action is that we call on Him in our time of trouble – or be willing to ask for help! When He comes to our aid, we are again awed and want to honor Him. It creates a cycle of honor and intimacy with the Lord. And that is truly what He's after in this hour - our increased relationship and dependence on Him, even in the smallest things.
I ask you to consider these things:
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Be thankful!
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Be obedient (even to the last thing you heard from the Lord). Obedience is often in the little things.
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Ask God for help.
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Be in awe at how the Lord answers you, and thank Him again.
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Be prepared for your comeback!
Kristin Oketani
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