Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 81
One of the joys of summer is the age old tradition of a camping trip. For the Children of Israel, they yearly came together in the Feast of Tabernacles, building shelters and camping for a week to celebrate God bringing them out of Egypt and the desert travel to the Promised Land. You think a church campout was a big deal, the whole nation would come together to worship and praise God for bringing them out of slavery and into the land that He had promised Abraham.(Deuteronomy 16:16) They were commanded by God’s Law to come together to worship and bring praise to their God!(vs. 1-4)
They celebrated the testimony of Joseph brought in as a slave and lifted by God’s hand to become the very top leader in Egypt under Pharaoh. Whenever Israel called in trouble, God rescued them. He protected at them and provided water from the Rock, and Manna from heaven. He led them with the thunder of His presence, the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.(vs. 7) As I look over my life, I can see the presence, provision, and guidance of the Lord over and over again.
The real problem was Israel’s refusal to listen to God’s admonishment; Psalms 81:8-9, 8 “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to me!
9 “Let there be no strange god among you; nor shall you worship any foreign god.
Sometimes I look at God’s people, Israel and shake my head at the refusal to listen and obey after all God had done for them. Then I think of my own refusal to be obedient and walk in fellowship with God and feel ashamed for my rebellious heart.
Psalms 81:10,13 “I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I will fill it. 13 “Oh that My people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in My ways!(NAS) God’s heart of love is there longing to hear our cries and meet our needs. He doesn’t enjoy our suffering and pain which are the consequences of our disobedient hearts. His promise is there for us as we seek Him and worship Him; Psalms 81:16 “But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat; and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”(NAS)
Father, I want to worship You for all You have done. From my salvation, to the provision and guidance in my life, You have proven Yourself over and over. Forgive me for my disobedient and rebellious heart and help me to get rid of my idols and walk in Your ways. Thank You that I can trust in Your promises and live by Your strength. In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob