Psalm 81 – Saved to Listen, Saved to be Blessed
(by Daniel Wong)
Psalm 81 begins with a call to worship God with joyful songs and music. This is not simply a spontaneous response to a surge of emotions, that is dependent on external circumstances. For the people of Israel, the call to worship was a command in response to God’s gracious act of deliverance from slavery in Egypt. God promised that his provision, protection and satisfaction would follow obedience. Their commitment to worship and obedience would be tested time and time again throughout their journey in the wilderness. Sadly however, the redeemed people of God persistently turned away from listening to God to stubborn idolatry. In spite of God’s repeated warnings, they chose the path of disobedience which would lead to punishment rather than obedience which would lead to blessings.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10, we are taught that at the heart of the Christian faith is a turning away from idols to serve the living and true God. For the believer in the risen Lord Jesus Christ, the first and greatest blessing is salvation from the coming wrath. Christ then leads us along the path of sanctification. This is the life of worship which brings blessings, joy and satisfaction from our good God.
But idolatry is often alive and kicking in our own journey as it was in theirs. Is God speaking to us this week about of an area of life which we have not listened to and submitted to Him? Let us consider this week how we must respond to God not just in songs and music but in daily repentance and obedience.
Let’s Read Psalm 81
1 Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
2 Begin the music, strike the timbrel,
play the melodious harp and lyre.
3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,
and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;
4 this is a decree for Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5 When God went out against Egypt,
he established it as a statute for Joseph.
I heard an unknown voice say:
6 “I removed the burden from their shoulders;
their hands were set free from the basket.
7 In your distress you called and I rescued you,
I answered you out of a thundercloud;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
8 Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—
if you would only listen to me, Israel!
9 You shall have no foreign god among you;
you shall not worship any god other than me.
10 I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
11 “But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own devices.
13 “If my people would only listen to me,
if Israel would only follow my ways,
14 how quickly I would subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him,
and their punishment would last forever.
16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
Let’s Pray
Gracious God and Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for rescuing us from the dominion of darkness and bringing us into the kingdom of your beloved Son. Thank you for the privilege and responsibility of listening to you and responding in worship and obedience. Father, reveal to us where we have failed to listen to your Word. Forgive us and help us by the power of your Spirit to repent of idolatry and self-determination. Grant to us your joy and blessing as we sing and make music to you and live for your glory. For we pray these in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
This devotional was kindly contributed by Dr. Chow Li Sze and her channel Heavenly Devotion. You may find the channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/HeavenlyDevotion/videos
About the Heavenly Devotion channel
The Heavenly Devotion channel is dedicated to encouraging you to listen to Bible Scriptures and pray with the Scriptures. They are inspired by the call of service as expressed and exemplified by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12 NKJV)
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