Canon Rob's Reflections

On April 1st, the Artemis 2 space mission began a ten day journey which included, for the first time, travelling around the ‘dark side’ of the moon. It was an incredible scientific achievement but also humbling for the four astronauts as they looked out of the module’s windows and saw the earth from miles away. Hopefully, humbling also for all of us who watched our televisions. This planet on which we live is truly breathtakingly beautiful. In the First Chapter of the Book of Genesis in our Bibles we have the wonderful poetic story of creation and, if you read it as you reflect upon the set verses of today’s psalm, you will see that before each act of creation, God spoke. On the fourth day of creation, God created the stars, the sun and the moon. “And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night’…..And God saw that it was good…” [Genesis 1.14-19.] At the beginning of the account of the ancient Israelites being freed from slavery in Egypt, God spoke to Moses from the Burning Bush (Exodus 3.1-12] and, during the years of travelling through the wilderness to the Promised Land, God spoke to Moses often to chastise and to encourage.


Today’s psalm begins, “The Lord, the most mighty God, has spoken and called the world from the rising of the sun to its setting.” Then in verse 7 we read, “Here, O my people, and I will speak, I will testify against you, O Israel; for I am God, your God.” This verse is reminiscent of phrases used often in the Book of Deuteronomy, much of which is taken up with Moses giving directions to the people of Israel as they continued their journey to the Promised Land and are especially concerned with the keeping of God’s commandments. They often begin with the words like, “Listen, people of Israel!” [Deut.9.1] and although it is Moses who is addressing the people, it is clear that God is speaking through him. In Psalm 50, God is judging the people on the subject of offering sacrifices. Doing so was part of the way of life for the people and there were several types of sacrifice all offered to God: thanksgiving and sin offerings being just two. Reflecting on verse 8 onwards of today’s psalm, you will see that God isn’t criticising the sacrifices themselves. “I will not reprove you for your sacrifices, for your burnt offerings are always before me.” [Verse 8.] However, it seems that the sacrifice of bulls and other animals is not necessary. In verse 9 the psalmist writes, again as if God is speaking, “I will take no bull out of your house, nor he-goat out of your folds.” God already owns these animals: “For all the beasts of the forest are mine, the cattle upon a thousand hills.” [Verse 10.] The same is true of the birds, indeed every living creature. [Verse 11.] In verses 12 and 13 you will see what God is getting at and the meaning behind the words begins to make sense.


“If I were hungry, I would not tell you,”...and… “Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls…” Could it be that the people, like believers in pagan gods, believed that God the Creator actually eats what is offered to Him? It seems like it.


Then, in verses 14 and 15 we get to the very heart of the psalmist’s aim. What God really desires is a heart full of gratitude for everything that He has done and will continue to do for His people. “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and fulfil your vows to God Most High.”[Verse 14.] Over the years, the practice of sacrificing animals ended. However, the sacrifice of thanksgiving in worship has continued. The word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving” and at the beginning of the Thanksgiving (or Eucharistic) Prayer the priest says, “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God” and the worshippers reply, “It is right to give thanks and praise.” In the final verse to reflect on today, God says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall honour me.”[Verse 15.] God does not need to be bribed with animal sacrifices. What He does want though is for us to turn to Him, to offer our lives to Him and He will always answer our prayers out of His love for us.