Psalm 50:14, 15 
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, 
and keep the vows you made to the Most High. 
Then call on me when you are in trouble, 
and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (NLT)

Spread for me a banquet of praise,
serve High God a fest of kept promises,
And call for help when you’re in trouble—
I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.
(The Message)

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Now and again, we hear someone say, “I’d sure like to hear God speak.” There are more responses to this statement than we can address here today. One thing we can address is these two verses in this psalm. God is clearly speaking. He’s telling us what he wants us to hear, what he wants us to know.

First, he’s not interested in our religious rituals. 

Second, he’s deeply interested in us seeing him for who he is and responding appropriately. Praise is inevitable when we see God for who he is. Thanksgiving is inevitable when we reflect on all he does.

Third, he’s deeply interested in us living what we say we believe. The Message puts it this way: 

“serve High God a feast of kept promises . . . .”

Live what you say you believe. Do what you say you will do. Become who you said you wanted to be when you called on his name and stated your allegiance to his will and ways.

Fourth, when you find yourself in some kind of trouble, pray. Pray to him. Tell him about the trouble. Be honest about how you landed in that spot of bother. Be truthful about your complicity. Be ready for what he says, does, and asks of you. This gut-level honesty honors God. This radical dependence and truthfulness receive his help each and every time. 

God’s rescue reveals who he is, and shows God that you understand who you are in relationship with him. This honors him and blesses you. It also helps others see God for who he is and how he works in the lives of those who trust him. This honors and blesses them. 

Who would have thought it? You are God’s display to a watching world of how good he is to those who turn their hearts toward him.

Now that you have heard God speak, how will you live what you have come to know? 

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I will hear and obey God so that others can see how good he is.

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Our Father, I do not come with religious rituals, smoke and incense, chanted words, bowing and crossing, reading someone else’s prayers. I come to you just as I am. You are God. You are good. I depend on you. I trust you. I need you. Hearing what you have said to me, I want to align my every action today with your heart. I want to attune my heart to love what you love, to love who you love, and to serve those you send me to serve in the strength you provide. I will call on you when I don’t know what to do or don’t have the resources required. I will trust you to provide whatever is needed wherever you guide me. Thank you for speaking to me today and for teaching me how to pray. Amen.