TODAY IS…

the perfect day to mean it.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”  Psalm 50:15 NASB

We should all turn to God for help, and many of us do.

Unfortunately, there are also many whose relationship with God is a little one-sided. While these individuals do not hesitate to ask for God’s help, the thanks that are given in return ring falsely to the Lord, for the subsequent actions of those people reveal their true nature.

In his Psalm, Asaph writes of God’s displeasure with those who offered Him sacrifices or thanks that were empty of any true meaning. He tells Israel that the sacrifices they offer are for their benefit, not His. He points out that offering Him any animal in sacrifice is not something He needs from humans since He already owns the world and everything in it.

“If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and all it contains.” (Psalm 50:12 NASB).

So if He really doesn’t want, or need, sacrifices or burnt offerings, what does He want for helping us?

“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.” (Psalm 50:14 NLT).

It is quite simple: He wants us to thank Him and mean it. How do we show Him that we mean it? By living our lives in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

There is no question as to God’s opinion of those who think they can use Him to help them and then carry on with sinful lives.

“Repent, all of you who forget Me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.” (Psalm 50:22 NLT).

Many people who call upon God for His help and then carry on in their old sinful manner after offering empty words of thanks do not realize the danger they are in, for God will take notice in silence and His judgment will come later.

“These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.” (Psalm 50:21 NIV).

We can rely on God for His help as often as we need it. All we need to do is thank Him.

The most important thing about thanking God is remembering that He will know if you mean it.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson