Pastor's Column 9/7/2025

PASTOR’S COLUMN

¹² “So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. ¹³  Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! ¹⁴ How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes!

¹⁵  Those who hate the Lord would cringe before Him; they would be doomed forever. ¹⁶  But I would feed you with the finest wheat.  I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.” Psalm 81:12-16, NLT

"What the Lord Would Do!”

We find in Psalm 81, some of the most transparent and compelling promises of God for His people. The promises are predicated on the behavior of  the people who say they are devoted to Him. It is one thing to speak of our commitment to the Lord, but it is entirely different to act in a manner that substantiates our verbal affirmations. What we say is not always what we do. Perhaps this is why James warned early Christians to, “Understand this my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak…”  (James 1:19, NLT) Is there anyone more important than God,  to attune our listening? This surely is the thought in this Psalm. God had protected and rescued  His people from the enemy. In return, they bowed before the strange and impotent gods of their enemies. It must have grieved God to observe, “But no, my people would not listen. Israel did not want me around.” (Psalm 81:11, NLT ). Disobedience leads to our rejection of the goodness of God and His compassion. It is in listening to the voice of God amid the rumblings of our day – and acknowledging what He does for us, that we will experience the best of His blessings. The Lord stands ready to do so much more for us, if we seek more of His presence in our lives. This divine reality is so strong and certain, that in singing this psalm as a hymn for worship, the musical family of Korah required it be performed with all string instruments. The sheer beauty emanating from the harmony of that sacred music, filled the House of Worship.  Receiving God’s promises, as we obey Him, will fill our hearts with praise!