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 subtle, 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 …