One of the things I do when I'm studying the Bible is look for words, phrases, and ideas that are repeated across the passage(s) I'm reading.
you’ve made Me promises that you haven’t kept (verse 14);
you live evil lives and then act like you can name-n-claim My promises anyway (verse 16);
you disregard and disrespect My Word (verse 16);
you enable and endorse sin in others (verse 18);
you talk all kinds of filth (verse 19);
you lie like lying is what you’re supposed to doggone do (verse 19);
you talk about everybody and stir up drama, even in your own family (verse 20).
"And," God says, "because I didn’t strike you down, you have the audacity to claim that I ‘understand’ and ‘know what it’s like’. I’m not a pimp. I’m not ‘cool like that.’ I’m GOD.”(VERSE 21).
Maybe the problem is that we don’t study God’s Word with depth and consistency.
Maybe the problem is we’re too O.K. with who we are when who we are is sinners.
Maybe the problem is that we’re not scared of God anymore.
So, when God steps in and chin-checks our church, our family, or ourselves; consider the possibility that it wasn’t because we shouted too much or because we didn’t shout enough.
I compare the uses to see if there's a common message or a meaningful pattern.
Now I caution that when studying the Bible we have to be careful about snatching pieces of verses up and attaching them to other pieces. It's tempting to cut and paste verses and snippets with no regard for context just to support a personally pre-established point. The purpose of Bible study isn't to prove your or my point, but to discover God's point.
However, analyzing for repetition can reveal precious gems of truth. Case in point: Psalm 50 and the word rebuke.
In the New King James Version, rebuke appears twice in Psalm 50----- in verse 8 & in verse 21. Take the 2 clauses where "rebuke" is used and put them together, and you get the following statement from God:
I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, …but I will rebuke you.
If you walk through the entire chapter, this repetition connection turns out to be a pretty accurate summary of the main idea. (It doesn’t always work this way, so you always have to read the entire passage for context.)
Basically, the voice of God speaks from Psalm 50 and says, “You know, your praise isn’t the problem.”
God says, “I’m not upset with you because of the form and phrasing of your worship. Right now, that’s not really a big deal to me. Keep your rituals. I don’t need your sacrifices. I’m unhappy with you, but not about that.”
God says, “I’m ticked off at you because:
you haven’t genuinely given Me glory (Psalm 50: 14, 15);you’ve made Me promises that you haven’t kept (verse 14);
you live evil lives and then act like you can name-n-claim My promises anyway (verse 16);
you disregard and disrespect My Word (verse 16);
you enable and endorse sin in others (verse 18);
you talk all kinds of filth (verse 19);
you lie like lying is what you’re supposed to doggone do (verse 19);
you talk about everybody and stir up drama, even in your own family (verse 20).
"And," God says, "because I didn’t strike you down, you have the audacity to claim that I ‘understand’ and ‘know what it’s like’. I’m not a pimp. I’m not ‘cool like that.’ I’m GOD.”(VERSE 21).
Like most preachers in my immediate circle, I love energetic, moving, well-delivered praise and worship. I think the gifts that lend themselves to praise should be nurtured and allowed to minister to God’s people.
Yet, in some churches we have become obsessed with music and shouting and saying all the right things in unison. We say, “when praises go up blessings go down.” We admonish people to just “praise your way through.” We instruct people in the appropriate ways and times to shout because there is “power in our praise.”
We rebuke our congregations for not making enough noise or showing enough energy.
And yes, sitting there like a bump on a log can be an expression of stubbornness and an unwillingness to submit to the Holy Spirit. But it’s just as true that exuberance can be faked and performed out of an unrepentant and hypocritical heart or a shallow and selfish understanding of the concept of “blessing.”
But, maybe it’s not quite that big of a deal either way.
Maybe the problem isn’t the way we praise God.
Maybe the problem is that we don’t study God’s Word with depth and consistency.
Maybe the problem is we’re too O.K. with who we are when who we are is sinners.
Maybe the problem is that we’re not scared of God anymore.
So, when God steps in and chin-checks our church, our family, or ourselves; consider the possibility that it wasn’t because we shouted too much or because we didn’t shout enough.
Maybe God’s chastisement has more to do with the way we live everyday than with the song selection last Sunday.
I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, …but I will rebuke you.
Maybe the problem isn’t our praise. Maybe the problem is our sin.
---Anderson T. Graves II is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church in Montgomery, Alabama, executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO) and director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).
To hear sermons, read devotions, and learn more about the ministry at Hall Memorial CME Church, visit www.hallmemorialcme.blogspot.com .
If this message helps or touches you, please help support this ministry. Send a donation of any amount by check or money order.
Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road
Montgomery, AL 36116
Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road
Montgomery, AL 36116
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