Friday August 9th, 2019 Psalm 50:1-8,22-23
The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, Gods shines forth. (verses 1-2)
Again in today’s reading, God speaks to us very directly about what God wants and doesn’t want from us. When we read the decisive, undeniably violent words in verse 22, it’s hard not to wonder again who this God is who claims to be our friend but can say such things to us.
When I read this passage, I found myself returning to its powerful opening lines to find peace with it. This is our God. We are meant to have relationship through God, but ultimately, as the opening verses so strongly remind us, the Lord is God. And for this reason, if no other, God has the right to guide and instruct us.
I don’t know about you, but as always, I need to learn to consider it my privilege to be taught by God. I need to remind myself that God sends these reminders out of love. The psalm ends with the encouraging reminder that what God wants is open and obedient hearts.
Dear Lord, help us to be grateful for your reminders and to keep our hearts open to your loving instructions. Amen. — DLG
Contributed by Remember who you’re talking to
Again in today's reading, God speaks to us very directly about what God wants and doesn't want from us. When we read the decisive, undeniably violent words in verse 22, it's hard not to wonder again who this God is who claims to be our friend but can say such things to us.
When I read this passage, I found myself returning to its powerful opening lines to find peace with it. This is our God. We are meant to have relationship through God, but ultimately, as the opening verses so strongly remind us, the Lord is God. And for this reason, if no other, God has the right to guide and instruct us.
I don't know about you, but as always, I need to learn to consider it my privilege to be taught by God. I need to remind myself that God sends these reminders out of love. The psalm ends with the encouraging reminder that what God wants is open and obedient hearts.
