Jul 13
Today’s Truth
On high, he summons heaven and earth in order to judge his people (Psalm 50:4 CSB).
Friend to Friend
When a skilled jeweler places a diamond under a microscope, he is able to authenticate and determine its 
value based upon the color, cut, clarity and carat weight of the stone. Flaws are visible in the testing, and any jeweler worth his salt can easily see the difference between a man-made cubic zirconia and a real diamond that’s been forged in pressure over time.
I like to think I can spot fake from a mile away too. It’s everywhere: the lashes, spray tans, hair color, eyebrows, puffy lips, and high cheekbones. Beyond the substitute beauty efforts, there are a million other ways humanity serves up fake… Passing off that gossip as a prayer request. Praying from our lips, but not from our hearts. Harboring anger and holding on to it like an invisible entitlement, regardless of what God’s word says about forgiveness. Many times, we give very little to the One who gives us everything.
God sees straight through fake faith.
Empty sacrifices are meaningless to Him.
Psalm 50 serves as a powerful reminder to me not to try to pass off a cubic-zirconia-faith to a flawless-diamond God. He leaves no room for insincere worship and makes it clear that He doesn’t want me going through the motions of religion in an effort to please or appease Him.
The Lord doesn’t want any part of fake faith. That’s not His way.
Holy echoes call out routine religion in my heart: If you’re really my daughter, act like it. Don’t bring me your fake faith and expect that I’m going to pretend along with you. It’s of no value to me. Be grateful. Really. Thank me for every good and perfect gift you have in life. It’s all from me. And be honest in worship. Do what you say you’re gonna do. Include me in your days. Talk with me about your troubles. Let me come alongside you. Recognize me as God and then watch me show up in powerful ways.
Conviction stings in the best of ways as it turns my heart in holy directions.
The Lord wants our honest attention. Our sincere faith. The psalmist highlights the holiness of God and reminds us that one day every believer will be judged. “The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks; he summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. From Zion, the perfection of beauty, God appears in radiance. Our God is coming; he will not be silent! Devouring fire precedes him, and a storm rages around him. On high, he summons heaven and earth in order to judge his people: ’Gather my faithful ones to me, those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.’ The heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God is the Judge” (Psalm 50:1-6 CSB).
The holy God of heaven doesn’t want any of us to treat Him lightly.
He deserves better.
The Lord deserves our worship, genuine thanksgiving, honor, and trust. He is loving, faithful, merciful, and kind.
“Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call on me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:14-15 CSB).
Time to give God some honest worship and break up with fake faith… because although grace is free, it didn’t come cheap.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, You know my heart and my ways. Search me. Know me. Reveal any way in me that needs polishing or cut off in order for me to shine bright for You. Convict my heart when I’m less-than authentic. Lead me in Your grace and purity. Help me be a real reflection of the hope I have in You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What area of your attitude, perspective, behavior, or focus needs some polishing?
Be still. Know that He is God.
READ Romans 12:1-21. Consider what this can and should look like in your life.
.More from the Girlfriends
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Gwen, This is a wonderful inspired writing for me.
Used to work in my former life in the jrly. industry. I was always amazed by the beauty God presented to us in the forms of His gemstones. Only the Most High, could create the color and perfection of each stone. Makes me wonder at times, what the City of Heaven will look like!?
And thanks, for the reminder that Our Artist Creator, needs to hear our offering of gratitude, before He hears the list of “asking” from us. HE is the Great One; we need to acknowledge that!
Blessings to you!
Carol… LOVE this! Yes, ma’am! Ours is a creative Creator… fully worthy of our praise, adoration and awe!
GWEN
O Gwen, why is it that some people have more of God than those of us who struggle along trying to learn the same lessons God has been trying to teach us for years? Perhaps it is that we are more me conscious than God conscious. I want in the remaining days, months, or years (maybe moments?) of my life to truly put Him first. Thank you, Gwen, may you draw ever closer to Him.
Great point! God is always near and always faithful and always holy… our AWARENESS of His nearness, faithfulness and holiness is what often keeps us from responding in genuine awe, reverence and worship. Yes… may we continually be drawing closer to Him each day!
Blessings,
GWEN
Thank you for this devotion. It was really convicting.
Love that. Glad you’re doing life with us, Abby!
GWEN