When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. Psalm 50:21.

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. Proverbs 4:11.

I read the first Scripture verse cited above in our psalm, Psalm 50, and realized every single one of us needs this wake-up call. You thought I was exactly like you…and yet, when we go our own way and do the very things Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit – has warned us away from, we are nothing like God. The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets…From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth…Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages…He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice”…And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice…v. 1-6. He goes on to describe the sacrifices and burnt offerings ever before Him that He does not need. Every animal, every bird, every insect is His, v. 7-13. What kind of offering does God desire from us? Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. v. 14, 15. Giving thanks and calling on our God in days of trouble honors Him. What doesn’t honor our God? But to the wicked person, God says: What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son. When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you. Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you: Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation. v. 16-23.

Sometimes we need a wake-up call. Sometimes we need the dead bits pruned out of our hearts and minds that harden us to what is good. Why? Because our way apart from God is not good and keeps us from experiencing His good love. Every good and beautiful gift comes from our God for us. Wake up! Trust our loving God to open your eyes to see, your heart to love, your ears to hear, your thoughts to embrace the love God has for you. You won’t be alone. Our God will be right there helping you. Sometimes we need to forget about all the other billions of people doing what is bad and realize God is talking to you and me personally. There is a better way and He will lead us along straight paths to be in that spacious place of being with Him where life makes sense.