Praise That Glorifies God

Psalms 50:16-23 [16] But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth, [17] Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you? [18] When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker 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 that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them 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] Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

As I read these verses, all I could say is, "Wow." God was speaking to those who were religious outwardly, but rotten to the core on the inside. I must ask this of each of us today, "Do we praise God, correct others, and pretend to be godly outwardly while living like the devil when no one is looking?" Do we look for every opportunity to correct others in their walk with the Lord, while we barely limp along in our own walk? The Scriptures tell us to remove the plank from our own eye, before trying to remove the splinter in our brother's eye. The bottom line is that we cannot walk in darkness, agree with the wickedness of this world system, compromise our faith in order to "get along"; then show up on Sunday morning, or Wednesday evening, to praise God, lifting unholy hands to a Holy God. We may be able to put on a good show for people, but we cannot hide what is in our hearts. Let us offer praise that glorifies God, praise that comes from a heart cleansed by the Blood of Jesus; a heart that strives to obey the Word of God, by living a life in obedience to His commands.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).