A Sacrifice of “Thanks”
Asaph is overlooked as a psalmist. He’s one of my favorites, but often is overshadowed by King David’s slew of psalms. Today we take a break from one of the more popular characters of history and remain with Asaph in Psalm 50.
He begins this psalm full of adoration declaring God’s sovereignty and majesty over and in all creation. The audience feels the power of God and the only posture one is left with is prostrate. “Our God approaches and he is not silent.” (v. 3) There is no clearer way to tell the listener to pay attention. God is about to speak. Asaph paints a picture of Judgment Day for us. He reveals God’s thoughts about the day when the sheep are separated from the goats, the wheat from the weeds, the faithful from the faithless.
God goes on to approach the faithful first. He explains there is little to complain about regarding their repentance, acts of submission, etc. The Lord does make a point to basically say, “Thank you for those gifts, but I’m God. I have created and own everything you see and everything you offer. I appreciate your spirit, but I do not need you to feed me or make anything for me as if I am in want. That said I have an idea…” God tells the faithful He no longer needs their version of sacrifice. He has a differing perspective on the whole thing. “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God and keep the vows you made to the Most High.” (v. 14) Thankfulness is the new bull, the new repentance, the new submission.
Interesting to consider being thankful as a sacrifice. I wonder how myself, then think of the only human way I can understand, relationships. Imperfection is a word that describes everyone. No matter if it’s your boss, spouse, best friend or babysitter we all can name something imperfect about each person. Rather than going to work and being irritated by the way your boss communicates you sacrifice your own feelings and selfish impulses and say, “Praise God for a job!” Then you find that blasted pair of socks thrown on the floor of the bathroom yet again. Rather than voicing your frustration with your spouse you say, “Lord, I’m grateful I have a pair of socks to pick up because I have a spouse.” Next time your best friend ruins your favorite sweater she borrowed you continue to loan her clothes because she supports you in ways others don’t. You praise God for her companionship. After coming home from an evening away from the kids you walk into a living room that looks like a hurricane blew through while you were away. You tell the somewhat rude 15 year old, “Thank you for giving up your evening so I can have one. And praise God we have the resources to afford a babysitter in the first place.” Thankfulness can be a sacrifice. Instead of serving your own feelings you offer up gratefulness to another.
In the second half of Psalm 50 God addresses the faithless. What surprises me most is how He starts, “Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my commands? For you refuse my discipline and treat my words like trash.” (v. 16-17) Judgment on the faithless is not reserved for only those who defiantly refuse Him. The goats, the weeds, the faithless are even found among those in church, those who know Scripture. Listen up! Signs you’re a goat include refusing discipline (accepting consequences brought on yourself), disregarding God’s Word, accepting devious people, lying, and gossiping. There are other goat-like qualities in Scripture, but these are the ones God leaves us in Asaph’s psalm. If you’re like me, you fall in the faithless category on a few accounts. There is hope for us. “Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you. But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” (v. 22-23) Even in the Day of Judgment the faithless are given a chance. Our God approaches, finds us guilty as goats and offers us eternal salvation. We, like the faithful are encouraged to give thanks and keep our promise to follow His path.
Both the faithful and faithless are given directions and promises. God tells the faithful to give thanks and says, “Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (v. 15) God tells the faithless, “Repent…or I will tear you apart and no one will help you.” (v. 22) Once you repent, you give thanks. If you’re the faithful begin sacrificing with thankfulness. Once you do, you will find yourself always with a Deliverer. If you’re the faithless, turn from your goat-like qualities, start thanking God and receive His salvation. It’s either that or your complete destruction. I choose to thank God for a clear choice!
