Psalm 50 is an excellent depiction of the grace and mercy of God. God is the Holy One, coming out of the Holy of Holies, surrounded by "devouring fire" and "mighty tempest" (v. 3) that he might come and judge the world. Alarmingly, his judgment starts with his own people (v. 4), which is a reminder that every person will give an account before God. A person's first response may be turning to a significant sacrifice to try to make things right with God, but God candidly reveals he has no interest in animal sacrifices (v. 8-13). How then can we make things right with God? We can't. But he can. He instructs his people just to ask for his help, and he will save them (v.15). We expected fire and tempest, but instead, God reminds his people that he is their savior.
Then God turns to those who falsely claim to be his people, who recite his laws but do not follow them (v. 16-21). Now comes the fire, right? Wrong. Instead, God leaves them with an invitation to repent (v. 22-23). A final judgment will come. But for now, God warns the wicked that some might yet turn to him and be saved.
As this psalm opens, O Lord, we see your presence in a fiery tornado purposed to bring justice to the world. Our hearts skip a beat when suddenly we realize that the storm is not just meant for our enemies, but for us too. We are not immune to the storm. We thought we were "good enough," but as we gaze into the purity of that fire, we grow aware of our ten thousand imperfections. We think of ways we can try to save ourselves, but every idea is in vain. And then, right before the fire consumes us, it stops, and you speak. And you say: "Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you" (Ps. 50:15). We fall to our knees and say: "Thank you, Lord, for your mercy! Save me from this hour, because I cannot save myself." And in your great mercy, you deliver us from all harm. You are amazing, Lord. We love you.
We pray, let your grace change us. Instead of being proud of how good we are, grant that we might be thankful for how gracious you are. And instead of looking down on others as deserving of judgment, grant that we might be so filled with your love that we might earnestly desire to see others go from death to life, from an expectation of judgment to an expectation of eternal life with you. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.
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