12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
(Psalm 50:12-15 ESV)

God knows our tendencies to count ways things are lacking long before we count our blessings. I am incredibly gifted in this area.

Giving thanks is a skill in need of cultivation. It takes a certain level of intentionality. Most of us don’t default to listing what we are thankful for. It is far too easy to complain.

Four Actions

In these four verses from Psalm 50, notice the four actions required. 

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Are you known as a thankful person? Do you tend to give thanks for what you have or complain about what you lack?

Perform your vows.

Are you known as a promise keeper? Do you keep your word?

Call upon the Lord in the day of trouble because He has promised deliverance.

When you feel sad or troubled, do you call out to God or phone a friend? Do you seek God’s deliverance or your own way out?

Glorify Him.

Do you take time to give God glory when He rescues you? Or when He gives you a blessing? Do you seek ways to point others to Him?

The Lord calls out the wicked.

The Lord also calls out the wicked after encouraging His followers to walk out their faith with actions.

16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips?
17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.
18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers.
19 "You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit.
20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son.
21 These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.
(Psalm 50:16-21 ESV)

Most of us don’t expect wicked people to be reciting God’s statutes or speaking about His covenant. However, Jesus warned his disciples about wheat and tares. The ones God calls wicked in these verses know His commandments and covenants. They know the truth and yet choose to turn from it.

God also describes them as those who are pleased with a thief, keep company with adulterers, and speak fluent evil and lies. Their pride caused them to believe God did not mind their grievous sins.

Does my pride get in the way of seeing my sins?

Simply knowing the truth does not inoculate any of us from the power of sin.

Mark this – Don’t Forget

22 "Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!
23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"
(Psalm 50:22-23 ESV)

Could I possibly forget God? People forget Him because He suggests that those who hear this message “mark it.” It is as if He is saying, “Highlight this point,” because it is far too easy to forget God.

How does God call me to glorify Him?

In the final verse of Psalm 50, God describes the one offering thanks as a sacrifice and says that person glorifies Him.

These thanksgivings are costly time, treasure, and talent. If it doesn’t cost anything, then it is not worthwhile offering. It takes time and effort to cultivate a thankful heart and mind.

After all, a sacrifice made grudgingly is not acceptable. 

Prayer

Lord, we long to please you and make sacrifices you accept. But we know we have missed the mark so many times. Teach us and guide us in the practice of cultivating thanksgiving in our hearts and minds. Help us to “order our ways” rightly and please you in our obedience. We cannot do this in our own strength. We ask for your help every single day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.