"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 50:23. ESV)
The various translations available to the Church over the last 50+ have helped give greater insight into the depth of The Words of God. Here we have an interesting translation of a very familiar and oft quoted verse, "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me...." And it was, "....thanksgiving as his sacrifice," that I particularly noticed yesterday when I read this Psalm. We often hear of, "the sacrifice of praise," but our text emphasizes, "thanksgiving as...sacrifice...."
Sarah and I were at a grocery store with one of granddaughters today, and I took particular note of some sad faces. I wondered, "Are they glad they were born, or sad or angry that they're 'here?'" I took particular effort to say hi, or nod or wave a hand at a security guard, and that lonely employee on break, sitting there by himself, just something to acknowledge them, something to let them know that for a brief moment, at least, they mattered to someone. The store is in an "edge" neighborhood. By that I mean there are a mixture of ethnic groups and varying income levels. It didn't matter. Everyone deserves someone to notice them, someone who is not so full of themselves, their daily agenda, their "own," that they are oblivious to those around them.
"Now," you may say, "What does that have to do with the text?" Well, everything. As I considered the sad, lonely faces, I was, "one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice", thankful that I was born, that I had great grandparents, great Dad and Mom, siblings, children, grandchildren, was able to play football (sorry, but I did love playing and bouncing off people). Most of all, however, I was/am, "thanksgiving as his sacrifice," that I was born so that I could know Jesus, know His Father and mine, the Holy Spirit, be a part of His Church, serve His Church and His Kingdom. And I am, "one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice," that, "In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. And when...I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also." (Amplified Bible)
Father, in Jesus' Name, I give You, "thanksgiving as [my] sacrifice," today. Amen.
The various translations available to the Church over the last 50+ have helped give greater insight into the depth of The Words of God. Here we have an interesting translation of a very familiar and oft quoted verse, "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me...." And it was, "....thanksgiving as his sacrifice," that I particularly noticed yesterday when I read this Psalm. We often hear of, "the sacrifice of praise," but our text emphasizes, "thanksgiving as...sacrifice...."
Sarah and I were at a grocery store with one of granddaughters today, and I took particular note of some sad faces. I wondered, "Are they glad they were born, or sad or angry that they're 'here?'" I took particular effort to say hi, or nod or wave a hand at a security guard, and that lonely employee on break, sitting there by himself, just something to acknowledge them, something to let them know that for a brief moment, at least, they mattered to someone. The store is in an "edge" neighborhood. By that I mean there are a mixture of ethnic groups and varying income levels. It didn't matter. Everyone deserves someone to notice them, someone who is not so full of themselves, their daily agenda, their "own," that they are oblivious to those around them.
"Now," you may say, "What does that have to do with the text?" Well, everything. As I considered the sad, lonely faces, I was, "one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice", thankful that I was born, that I had great grandparents, great Dad and Mom, siblings, children, grandchildren, was able to play football (sorry, but I did love playing and bouncing off people). Most of all, however, I was/am, "thanksgiving as his sacrifice," that I was born so that I could know Jesus, know His Father and mine, the Holy Spirit, be a part of His Church, serve His Church and His Kingdom. And I am, "one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice," that, "In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. And when...I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also." (Amplified Bible)
Father, in Jesus' Name, I give You, "thanksgiving as [my] sacrifice," today. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
