Psalm 50
August 7, 2022
Our God in the heavens, who rules and reigns from his mighty abode, who flashes forth lightning and sounds the thunder. Who quakes the earth and causes the waves to clash, we enter your presence only by the rock of ages, your son, Jesus Christ.
Lord, it is His sacrifice that we put before you and not our own. For indeed, what on Earth could we possibly offer, even our own lives, for everything seen and unseen belongs to you.
Regardless of whether we believe in you or not, our whole selves belong to you, Lord, for we carry on us your image. And if we do believe in you, we carry within us your holy spirit, who moves in us to glorify Jesus, comfort us in our affliction, and stir us up to love and good works.
Therefore, Lord, let us not resist your fatherly discipline, nor plug our ears when we hear the accusations from one who never lies and never deceives.
Lord, you are right to call us wicked. For we often claim to be wholly devoted to you when we are not, readily obedient when we are slow to action, and lovers of our neighbors when in reality we are apathetic toward their needs.
Lord, we repent. We repent. Help us to humble our hearts and put on spiritual sackcloth that we might recognize our ruin.
When we see or hear of robbery, of taking from people what belongs to them, help us to hate it. Help us to protect what belongs to others.
Let us not give approval to adulterers and help us to live lives of purity with you, Lord, both when we are single and if we are married.
Let us not frame up deceit like we are building a house, but let us tear down our lies and tear down the lies of those around us. Help us to hate lying, Lord, for it is wicked.
And Lord… our Lord … may we not speak against our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we must rebuke, may it be with abundant gentleness, love, and compassion as we hate even the garment stained by sin.
Lord, give us ears to hear, hearts to move, and hands to work. We thank you for your gracious rebuke. Let us offer thankfulness to you that you have not utterly destroyed us for these sins, but instead you are patient with us and remind us of the forgiveness and grace available in Christ.
Let us treasure Him, Lord, both in what we say and what we do.
Amen.