Psalm 81
An unusual psalm… I don’t recall many (any?) psalms where we see a prophet, possibly a Levite, quoting the Lord as He speaks directly to His people (vv. 6-16). Carol and I were part of a church back in Northern Virginia where we would occasionally hear someone speak up in a prophetic voice with (or as if) the Lord were speaking directly through him or her. It’s a strange sense to hear those words spoken. Surprisingly, essentially the psalmist says the same thing: I hear a language I had not known (v. 5a).
Herein the Lord is simply calling His people to repentance. He has delivered them from their difficulties; now all He wants is obedience and devotion to Him alone.
Today’s verses for reflection: But My people did not listen to My voice… So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. (vv. 11a, 12) So often I’ve gone off on my own – writing, saying, or doing something without praying about it in advance. And too often I give myself credit for what good that I have done – or more truthfully, what good the Lord has done through me. Even now as I work on healing and recuperation, I often hear from the medical personnel that I am healing very well, far better than most open-heart patients. And while I am certainly thankful for this outcome, I have learned to reply that the Lord has built me in such a way that my recovery can be quick and strong. That is, it’s not me – it’s Him at work in me. I need to bring that truth into all aspects of my life.