Psalm 81

July 24   Psalm 81

This Psalm gives some perspective from how God may view our lives.  v. 8 is really interesting to me.  "If you would but listen to me, O Israel!"   Does this not sound like a good Father who has warned His children to avoid trouble, yet they keep ignoring this wisdom.  God gave instructions to the people of Israel not to burden them but to bless them.  The instructions were not to make their lives miserable, but rather to keep their lives on the right track.  In the same way we as Christians may read the words of Jesus and think some things are challenging.  Pray for your enemies?  Love your neighbor as yourself?  Forgive others?  These are not always easy and sometimes we struggle with them.  Avoid temptation- Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount went beyond just our actions but implied our hearts and our minds must be pure as well.  He was giving boundaries and guidelines as a good father would with the knowledge of what is best for his kids.  

Like a father on Earth feels the pain in his heart when he sees his children go astray, we know our Father in Heaven is not pleased when His children go astray.  I hope that we will head the Words of God as the commands of a good and loving Father who wants to keep His children from trouble.  The Devil is a liar who will twist God's words and question His intentions to try to get us to go our own way.  Take God as His Word and know what He is says is the best way for us to go-- every time--no exceptions.  I don't want God to say of me- If he would have just listened to me......