“The Mighty One, God the LORD, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down…He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people.” (Psalm 50:1,4)

When a nation’s highest authority wants to make a statement for public knowledge, everyone stops what they are doing to listen to that authority figure, because they understand that it involves something very important. Even television networks and radio stations interrupt their programming to broadcast the statement.

Now, our God, the Almighty, the highest Authority on earth, the Heavens and the entire universe, is calling upon the nations – the righteous and the wicked, believers and non-believers – but not everyone is hearing His call.

God tells the righteous and believers that He is not concerned about their many animal sacrifices, not least because all animals are His.

“For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:10)

Many have been worried about church denomination, or whether their belief is more correct than others. However, how many people once went up on the altar, preached the word, made sacrifices and served God in His glorious work, but because they did not love discipline, they are now in the flesh, lost in this world?

This is not what God wants!

“For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?” (1 Corinthians 3:3-4)

So, what does God want?

People who are obedient, surrendered to Him, and who demonstrate it through their praise and fulfilment of the promise to serve Him even in the hardest moments. In other words, to be totally dependent on Him.

“Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:14-15)

God speaks about the behaviour of the wicked and unbelievers.

They are the ones who live their lives as if they do not need Him and reject His advice. They love everything that is wicked: adultery, betrayal, drunkenness, lies, hatred, speaking badly of others, greed for money and power, mistreating children and parents, and so on.

“But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you?” (Psalm 50:16-17)

In the face of all this, God was silent. But now He is giving the opportunity for reconciliation between parents and children, husbands and wives, bosses and employees, politicians and voters, but also between creature and the Creator.

“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:23)