Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

The God who Speaks
Read Psalm 50:1-23

Hear, O my people, and I will speak … Psalm 50:7a

The Lord Speaks

Our God speaks
In this psalm the Almighty God speaks and summons the heavens above and the earth that He may judge His people (v 4). Why do we sing these words about a fire devouring before Him (v 3) and not fall on our faces in reverent fear? We display our dismal folly and shameful arrogance when we think of fire that will burn everything else but will leave us untouched. ‘For our God is a consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:29).

O God forgive our arrogance and have mercy on us.

The Lord corrects and rebukes
The Almighty God testifies against His people. He has the authority to do so because He is our God (v 7). The covenant relationship is reiterated. Why do we hardly hear messages of rebuke and correction in our churches? Of course, we would rather God keeps silent about our sins and speak only words of blessing to us. We display our waywardness and abject folly when we close our ears to strong words of rebuke and seek only soft words of comfort that will perpetuate our ease.

O God please forgive our waywardness and have mercy on us.

The Lord does not need our gifts
The people in Old Testament days sometimes brought their sacrifices to God and regarded their acts as a ‘favour’ and a way to bargain with God. God bluntly reminds them that He owns everything and He has no need of their offerings (vs 9-13). Do we also need to repent for the times we view our service as doing God a favour? God desires that we recognise Him as our God and the Giver of all things. We please Him when we give Him thanks and fully depend on Him and call on His Name (vs 14-15).

O God forgive our pride and willful independence and have mercy on us.

Lord please help me to be quiet in Your presence so that I may hear You speak to me.