Psalms 50:7-15 TLB  O my people, listen! For I am your God. Listen! Here are my charges against you:  I have no complaint about the sacrifices you bring to my altar, for you bring them regularly.  But it isn’t sacrificial bullocks and goats that I really want from you.  For all the animals of field and forest are mine! The cattle on a thousand hills! And all the birds upon the mountains!  If I were hungry, I would not mention it to you—for all the world is mine and everything in it.  No, I don’t need your sacrifices of flesh and blood.  What I want from you is your true thanks; I want your promises fulfilled. I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you and you can give me glory.

Three things God wants from us and I will begin with the first one; To give true thanks. I believe that is more than a passing ‘thanks’, it’s a heart felt, genuine thanks for all he has done. To rise up and thank him for sleep, for a roof over our heads, food on our table, family and friends to love us. Thanking him for his Holy Spirit that leads us and guides us into all truth, our constant companion, our strong tower. Most of all for the blood of His Son, Jesus who he gave to redeem us from sin. That blood still speaks today. When our heart remembers and we truly thank Him, he delights in that kind of thanksgiving.

To fulfill our promises. Father, if you sell my house, I will give you first fruits of the sale. But when the house is sold, you find there wasn’t very much profit so you justify that you don’t have enough to give.  Father, if you heal my body, I will never miss church again and I will serve you the rest of my days. Then when your healing comes, you make excuses that you are too tired, too busy or just too full or yourself to keep that promise.  We expect God to keep all of his promises to us, but we’re very loose with our words in promising and not keeping those promises to God. Deuteronomy 23:23 That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.

Lastly, He wants us to trust him in our times of trouble so he can rescue us and we will give him glory. If you know anything about the Lord it’s the fact that he loves to rescue his people when they’re in trouble. All through the bible we see story after story of Gods amazing rescues. I love how often David honors the Lord with the glory. He constantly talks of what good things the Lord has done and tells everyone of the awesome rescues of our God. Even we humans love recognition for good deeds. If we save a life, they give us accolades and we are honored.  How often has God saved us, not just from our sins, which in and of itself is something we should shout from the rooftops daily, but close calls in the car. Cancelation of a debt? Undeserved favor? Avoided being fired? Protected your children? 

Father, we truly thank you today. We remember your goodness and mercy, your provision for every need we will ever have, your protection in time of trouble. You are a good Daddy! We love you. Please help us to remember our promises and keep them always. You always keep yours and are such a great example of unconditional love. May we also reflect that today in the lives of everyone who crosses our path. We give you glory, in Jesus’ Name. AMEN!