Today I read the book of Psalm 81. It talks about how God wants us to recognize him as our God and to praise him for that. It talks about music being made with timbrel, harps and ram horns and how the children of Israel (believers) should praise him with joy and merriment.
In verse 5-7, it talks about how God went against the Egyptians and saved them when they were in the wilderness (story of how God used Moses to save the children of Israel). How God goes ahead of us to fight battles we do not know how to handle. He comes through for us all the time.
Verse 6 talks about how God removes burdens from our shoulders so that our hands can be free. I take this to mean how he quiets our souls when we have challenges in this life that troubles can seem insurmountable. I know there have been times I have cried out to God in great distress or in situations where I did not know what to do and he and he alone was able to save me. I can definitely relate with this. It can also mean God giving us liberty and peace in our hearts so we can rejoice in him and be glad.
Verse 7 talks about how God tested the Israelites at the waters of Meribah. This test has to do with the people of Israel not trusting in God. There was a lot of unbelief in their hearts in spite of all God had done for them. I read a blog where it talks about the hardness of life being one of the reasons we distrust God or not put our whole trust in him.
When we feel challenged by trying times and God does not answer us as quickly and and as aptly as we want him to, we can tend to distrust him or get side tracked. We can also forget all the awesome things God has done in the past and present in our lives. I guess that is what is meant by testing at the waters of Meribah. The israelites become frustrated with God for bringing them to a place and seemingly abandoning them to thirst. Well, was that the case? No. God wanted them to trust in him in all circumstance even if it looked or felt like he was not there. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us and he wants us to trust him Deuteronomy 31:8.
Moving on, Verse 8 – 10 talks about hearing and listening to God’s voice so he can warn us of any dangers or keeping us on the path he has designed for us to travel. It talks about having no other gods but him as he is the one who brought us out of slavery (we were ones slaves to sin). And if we would trust God to meet our needs he would meet each and every single one of them verse 10 b.
This reminds me of an incident. I wanted to invest in cryptocurrency and I was very psyched about it. I got all the information and installed the app on my phone. But at the point of installing and setting up the app, I had no peace within me. I felt heavy within me like I should not be doing this.
Don’t get me wrong there’s is nothing wrong in investing in cryptocurrency but for some reason, I did not feel the go ahead from the Holy Spirit to continue. I was just learning to hear God’s voice (I am still learning?), but I knew I had no peace. So i kept pushing off the registration. I kept feeling a pull to go and register because I wanted to make money and fast and even tried to justify my reason before God. Eventually, I heard a message that if something is always on your mind then you should go ahead and do it ?. So I took that as a yes from God and went ahead with my registration. I only invested a little because I was not fully convinced.
Fast forward to a couple of months later, I was listening to a message from bishop Samuel Blakes on listening to God’s signal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2pHULcHo3s). He talked about not listening to God’s signal on some issues because we want our way and then proceed. At the end of the day we wind up missing God’s design and blessings in that particular situation. I immediately felt convicted about the crypto currency issue. Because each time I wanted to proceed with the purchase for the investment, I always felt tension within me. But I encouraged myself to proceed especially when I would hear about the great success on the return on investment people were making from crypto currency. I came clean to God and asked for his forgiveness. I even asked him if I should remove the investment. Well i did not and guess what happened?
Yes, someone hacked my account and stole my small investment. So the moral of the story is verse 8, “hear me and I will warn you”. God who knows the end from the beginning wanted to protect me from the financial loss I suffered. While the funds were not much, I totally got a lesson on listening to God and sticking with his own version. Because he does not warn us to try and keep us from enjoying ourselves or having a good time. Most times he knows how things will end and wants to save us from the heart break. Verse 10 talks about if I want anything, I should let him know and he will fill me to the overflowing. So God is all about providing for us but most times we are too impatient and don’t trust him enough to come through ?.
My desire is to know the Lord more and deepen my walk with him. If this is also your desire, then the first step is a personal relationship with him through his son. I encourage you to say this simple prayer after me. “Dear Jesus, please forgive me of my sins. I have not always listened to your voice and I repent. Thank you for saving me and come into my life. I invite you to be the lord of life in Jesus name”. That’s all, if you said this prayer then you are born again. The bible says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.
If you feel the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart for one reason or the other please do not ignore him. The bible says now or today is the day of salvation. If you hear God’s voice on any matter please heed to him. 2 Corinthians 6:2, says “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now.
Find a bible believing church that preaches Jesus as savior and continue to learn more about God.
Send me a note, I am always glad to hear fro you. God bless.