I’m starting a ‘My Scripture for the Week Feature’. My plan was originally to include a number of scriptures on the home page weekly, I might still do that actually, you never know which might be useful to someone. So, uhhhmmm that was the original plan. But yesterday, I read an interesting chapter in the Psalms and this morning during my prayers and meditation, I went back to it and it just enlightened me and hit in a different way (as scripture is wont to do). It’s Psalm 50.

I read three different translations and was just equally moved by all three. It’s interesting that verse 13 has God asking, “what do you think I do with your burnt offerings?! You think I eat meat and drink the blood of goats?!” Lol! I have ALWAYS wondered about that when reading about Old Testament sacrifices! What’s far more amazing is that what God wants more than any sacrifices we have, is for us to bring a sacrifice of our thanks and keeping our promises. ( Verse 14 MSG, “Spread for me a banquet of praise,serve High God a feast of kept promises”).

I’m always asking for things, I usually forget to say thank You so much, so so very much for all the things You do for me; without my asking, you know what I need even when I’m so focused on what I want. Thank You very very much, Jesus.

Psalm 50

A Psalm of [a]Asaph.

1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and calls the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.

3 Our God comes and does not keep silence; a fire devours before Him, and round about Him a mighty tempest rages.

4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that He may judge His people:

5 Gather together to Me My saints [those who have found grace in My sight], those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.

6 And the heavens declare His righteousness (rightness and justice), for God, He is judge. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

7 Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify to you and against you: I am God, your God.

8 I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are continually before Me.

9 I will accept no bull from your house nor he-goat out of your folds.

10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills or upon the mountains where thousands are.

11 I know and am acquainted with all the birds of the mountains, and the wild animals of the field are Mine and are with Me, in My mind.

12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are Mine.

13 Shall I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

14 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High,

15 And call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me.

16 But to the wicked, God says: What right have you to recite My statutes or take My covenant or pledge on your lips,

17 Seeing that you hate instruction and correction and cast My words behind you [discarding them]?

18 When you see a thief, you associate with him, and you have taken part with adulterers.

19 You give your mouth to 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 kept silent; you thought I was once entirely like you. But [now] I will reprove you and put [the charge] in order before your eyes.

22 Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.

23 He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright [who prepares the way that I may show him], to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God.

I love verses 7-15 of the Message version.

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.”