Justice and the Prophets
God Requires Justice
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Leading Justly
Psalm 50:1-15 The Message
An Asaph Psalm
50 1-3 The God of gods—it’s God!—speaks out, shouts, “Earth!”
welcomes the sun in the east,
farewells the disappearing sun in the west.
From the dazzle of Zion,
God blazes into view.
Our God makes his entrance,
he’s not shy in his coming.
Starbursts of fireworks precede him.
4-5 He summons heaven and earth as a jury,
he’s taking his people to court:
“Round up my saints who swore
on the Bible their loyalty to me.”
6 The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court,
that here God is judge.
7-15 “Are you listening, dear people? I’m getting ready to speak;
Israel, I’m about ready to bring you to trial.
This is God, your God,
speaking to you.
I don’t find fault with your acts of worship,
the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.
But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,
or more and more goats from your herds?
Every creature in the forest is mine,
the wild animals on all the mountains.
I know every mountain bird by name;
the scampering field mice are my friends.
If I get hungry, do you think I’d tell you?
All creation and its bounty are mine.
Do you think I feast on venison?
or drink draughts of goats’ blood?
Spread for me a banquet of praise,
serve High God a feast of kept promises,
And call for help when you’re in trouble—
I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.”
For Reflection
What good does it do to be able to perform all the rituals correctly and yet not love that for which you sacrifice? Do you believe that your sacrifice of anything but yourself will warrant God's attention if you have not committed to act in his honor?
Keep your promise to God to be an obedient servant. In this, you honor God, and God will be at your side, comforting and supporting you. In these days of distress, we must pray fervently. We must make prayers of lament and rely upon God's wisdom.
Pray
Pray and offer expressions of love for God and each other. Pray and stay inwardly strong, knowing that God's love is your foundation.
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