Psalms 81:1 says,To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. This is identified as another psalm of Asaph, then verse one says, Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Once again, the people of Israel are called on to sing praises to God. We as followers of Christ today should do the same thing. Verse two adds, Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Verse three continues, Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. Several musical instruments were called for to be used in the worship of God along with the singing. Music, and musical instruments, has always been a part of the worship of God. Verse four states, For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. Asaph said God ordained this type worship, so we should not think that it is wrong today. Verse five adds, This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. In Egypt, the people of Israel were under the power of a people whose language they did not understand, even though they had gone there at the invitation of Joseph. If we go out into the world, we may at times find ourselves under the power of people who do not speak the language of God, even if they start out friendly to us. Verse six continues, I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. Just as God removed the burden of physical slavery from the people then, He removes us from the burden of spiritual slavery today, if we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Verse seven declares, Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. Asaph said that God had heard His people when they called on Him in times of trouble and provided for their needs, which He still does for Christians today. That is why we should always sing praises to Him. Verse eight adds, Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; God said if the people of Israel would listen to Him that He would testify, or speak the truth, to them. It is always our choice, even as Christians, whether we listen to the voice of God or not. Verse nine says, There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. Like the people of Israel then, as followers of Christ today we are to allow no false gods in our lives, and anything that becomes more important than God becomes a false god. Verse ten adds, I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. God reminded the people of Israel that He was the God Who had delivered them out of Egypt and that He had and would meet their needs as long as they remained faithful to Him. As Christians, God is the God Who had delivered us out from under the power of the sinful world, and He will meet our needs as long as we put our faith in Him. Verse eleven adds, But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. God then said that the people of Israel, His chosen people, would not listen to His voice. We need to always listen to God and follow His leadership if we are to live successful Christian lives today. Verse twelve continues, So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels. God said that when the people of Israel refused to listen to Him, He gave them up to their own lusts and they followed their own ways instead of God's ways. As followers of Christ, we need to make sure that we don't get so far away from God that He just leaves us to our own understanding. Verse thirteen declares, Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! God said that it would have been great if His people had listened to Him and walked in His ways. As Christians, we must do the same thing today. Verse fourteen adds, I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. God said that if the people of Israel had followed Him in faith that He would have soon subdued their enemies, and He will still do so for the followers of Christ today spiritually. Verse fifteen continues, The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever. Asaph said those who hated God should have submitted themselves to Him instead of fighting against Him, and if they had their time of power would have lasted forever. God can easily destroy all those who deny or fight against Him, but He reaches out to them with the gospel of Christ instead. Verse sixteen concludes, He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. God still stands ready to meet the needs of all who will put their faith in Jesus Christ today and live under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment