March 4, 2019
Breaking Up With Fake
Gwen Smith
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, boobs, 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 my lips, but not from my heart. Harboring anger and holding on to it like an invisible friend that I have every right to have.
God sees straight through fake.
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. He doesn’t want any part of fake faith. That’s not His way.
Holy echoes call out routine religion. 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 along side of you. Recognize me as God and just watch: I’ll show up in powerful ways.
Yowsa! Tell me how you really feel, God.
He wants our honest attention. Our sincere faith.
The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks;
he summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 From Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God appears in radiance.
3 Our God is coming; he will not be silent!
Devouring fire precedes him,
and a storm rages around him.
4 On high, he summons heaven and earth
in order to judge his people:
5 “Gather my faithful ones to me,
those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 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. He deserves our genuine thanksgiving, honor and trust. He is faithful, merciful and kind.
Sacrifice a thank offering to God,
and pay your vows to the Most High.
15 Call on me in a day of trouble;
I will rescue you, and you will honor me.
(Psalm 50:14-15, CSB)
Time to break up with fake faith… because grace is free, but 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
Be still. Know that He is God. Ask Him to show you any area of your attitude, perspective, behavior or focus that needs some polishing.
READ Romans 12:1-21. Consider what this can and should look like in your life.
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