January 16, 2020
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Reading along with us in Psalm? Here’s today’s reading:
Psalms 81 (ESV)
1 Sing aloud to God our strength;
shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine,
the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our feast day.
4 For it is a statute for Israel,
a rule of the God of Jacob..........Continue Reading
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So like Lamentations we are being reminded that our own free will to disobey God reaps consequence, however, it was said it a much more praise worthy way than the vividly sad depiction in Lamentations. Still we are being reminded to follow God’s plan for us and not go our own way.
This Psalm reminds me of our country too. God provided for our forefathers and protected them during battle. Now many have forgotten and turned to idols. May I REMEMBER all that my Father has done and NEVER forget that JESUS paid the ultimate price for my joy and freedom. May I never place another god on the alter of my heart.
What a great Psalm to read after coming out of Lamentations! As verse 7 states, “In your distress you called and I rescued you..” God is always available as a refuge in will answer in the way that is best. And yet the people are also addressed for not listening to God. How hard our hearts can be in spite of the goodness and grace of God. But God is also clear what is on the table. As He declared in Deuteronomy, I bless obedience and I curse disobedience. It is the only thing a righteous God can do. And one of the things that hangs in the balance is victory or defeat in regards to enemies. Well that reality is expressed here in this Psalm as a reminder to follow God and listen to Him.
I also like at the beginning of the Psalm that there is a call to music. Get the instruments ready! Play enthusiastically! God is worthy!
8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you;
you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10 I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
It is important that we listen to God (Psalm 81:8,11, 13). When we do not listen not only do we have negative consequences but we also miss out on positive benefits (Psalm 81:16). Many feign allegiance to God so long as it fits with the old Frank Sinatra song, “My Way”.
Notice that God does not impose his will on our lives but he will give us over to our stubborn hearts and let us follow our own counsel (Psalm 81:12).
So, whose voice will I listen to today?
“Oh, that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies,
And turn My hand against their adversaries.
15 The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him,
But their fate would endure forever.
16 He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat;
And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”
It’s interesting that even those who are “haters” that pretend submission, get fed. Regardless of the outward facade, God knows the heart and their fate remains.