"I'm Not Just Like You"

Psalm 50 is a declaration of God's coming judgment. Such judgment calls upon both heaven and earth (v.4). When we think about this it is very humbling, but at the same time we forget that God has a will unlike our own. Perhaps it is because we count too much on our human side as we determine who we think God is and what He will do. But God has some words for us in Psalm 50 that we all need to pay attention to. It's about time that we realize the goal is to be more like Him, and not the other way around.

God says to the wicked (50:16), "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?" Certainly the point is well made that we often take God's commandments and toss them aside. Sometimes it is because we do not like to be told what to do, or maybe we don't like what they say. Other times it is because we really haven't exalted God and His way, nor loved Him enough understand obedience (John 14:15). The results are disastrous. In place of His laws we set up our own statutes and morality and call them His. Then we wonder why people have a false concept of God!

Now notice (50:21 - emphasis added) - "These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought I was altogether like you; But I will reprove you, and set them in order before your eyes." If we can just slow down long enough from making God over into our image maybe we can get this. He is telling us that He is not like us - that's right, God isn't who we think He is - but He is who He is (Ex. 3:14)! God is not mocked. He cannot look upon evil (Hab. 1:13). He does not make mistakes (Ps. 18:30). He is completely holy and altogether powerful (Job. 42:1). To make Him less is blasphemy and sin.

Paul said on Mars' Hill that we are the offspring of God (Acts 17:29). Therefore He is not like us, but instead we are made to be like Him. We often fail to understand this. We deceive ourselves just as Satan deceived Eve, telling her that she would be like God when she did what she wanted to do. She forgot that God had already given her an opportunity to be like Him. Adam and Eve both had the power of choice to be holy (like God) and not sin, to not take of the fruit. By not heeding God's words of truth they fell short of His image and created an image of their own. Ironically, the only way back came through God's grace and promise for salvation for those willing to obey and return to His way - which is of course the same message we find in Paul's conclusion to the Athenians (Acts 17:30).

In this desperate time that we live in, when men and women continue to humanize God and make Him into something He is not, let us take warning. God will reprove these sins and show mankind their mistakes when He sends His Son in judgment (50:21). He says, "Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you into pieces: And there be none to deliver: (v. 22). God is serious about his warnings and will come through with His promises of discipline. If we don't believe it now, you can be sure that eternity in hell will make the point.

But finally, notice that no matter how harsh our Lord must be with us to illustrate His lesson, His true nature of love shines through. Psalm 50 concludes with - "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God" (v. 23). As sinful as we may be, as forgetful and human as we sometimes are, God's promise is to save us when we love Him, obey Him, and make Him our God. If we can do this, it will be the most God-like thing we will ever do.

"As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness" - Psalm 17:15