Psalms 81 – 83

Verse 81:1 tells us what we should be doing more:

Sing with joy to God, our strength, our fortress.
    Raise your voices to the True God of Jacob.

We should sing joy no matter what happens in life. We need to look at Paul as our example who we noted previously this month that he is content and joyous in plenty or lack, in comfort or pain, doesn’t matter. We need to embrace Psalms like this in our pain and misery more than is plenty. Now don’t do what many do and dismiss God when things are going good since it will often distract us from God.

I believe the key is not coming to God complaining about this and that, but thanking Him for the lesson. Approach life with JOY and not in discontent, it will be much easier no matter what is happening in your life. Keep your “eyes on the prize” and remain focused on God no matter what is happening in your life.

Verse 82:3 highlights the problem with lesser gods:

“Stand up for the poor and the orphan;
    advocate for the rights of the afflicted and those in need.

The Psalmist is addressing the major differences between God and the other gods worshiped. Many are made up idols from man’s imagination, similar to my views on Scientology but that will take a long time to unwrap. Let’s just say a sci-fi writer creates a religion is dubious. Anyway most of these gods from ancient times, I believe, were real yet part of Satan’s band of demons. Satan wanted the glory from God, as with the other fallen angels. These fallen angels have powers, just not complete and holy like God. Also, their interested reflect inwards and not outwards.

The God of Israel asks for worship, but His interests are in the least. That is the key differentiating factor between God and the other gods, caring for others. The worship is desired as a secondary aspect to our relationship, the love comes first. Take our children; it takes an unruly child to get a parent not to love them. You see it all the time in interviews of murderer’s mothers; they still love their child unconditionally. God is the same way, say thanks often and He will respond positively … ignore blessings and He will start to drift away, still loving you enough to have you learn how to survive.

Verse 83:18 ends with the Psalmist wanting people to know God:

May they know that You and You alone,
    whose name is the Eternal,
    are the Most High, the Supreme Ruler over all the earth.

Granted in this case the revelation will come after supernatural events happen to put them in dire circumstances. It almost reminds me of the words of a person shooting another by saying “prepare to meet God.” I pray that everyone has this revelation, be it dramatic or subtitle, just not harmful.

The question posed in today’s lesson is if God really loves us, unlike the lesser gods, why does He do harm or allow harm? That is a key and critical question that is not easily answered and is often posed by atheists or followers of other gods. Think about that one …