Am I Too Stubborn? (Psalm 78-81)
Are you resisting God without realizing it? Psalm 81 reveals how stubborn hearts miss out on blessings simply because they won’t listen.
Psalm 78-81
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Are you, by nature, a stubborn person?
While some stubbornness can be good, stubbornness in our relationship with God will quickly throw us off course. It was the key sin of the Israelites, and it’s why God often referred to them as a “stiff-necked” people. After starting Psalm 81 with a hymn in verses 1-5, the psalmist pivots and reiterates the ways God has loved his people. Verse 10 says, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” However, we know the rest of the story, and the psalmist continues:
11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel did not obey me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own plans.
13 If only my people would listen to me
and Israel would follow my ways,
14 I would quickly subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.”
15 Those who hate the Lord
would cower to him;
their doom would last forever.
16 But he would feed Israel with the best wheat.
“I would satisfy you with honey from the rock.”
Notice the irony. All the people need to do is open themselves up to God and obey his voice. That’s it, and they will experience tremendous blessings. But their stubborn hearts kick in, and they continue to rebel. Willem VanGemeren notes, “The Lord reminds the people that he expected them to conform to his likeness by listening to his commandments. He had consecrated Israel to be his people and had put his name on them, as he redeemed them from Egypt.”[1]
His faithful love for them was so great. Deuteronomy 29:5 says these words from God to his people: “I led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes and the sandals on your feet did not wear out.” And Deuteronomy 32:10 says of God’s care for the Israelites: 10 He found him in a desolate land, in a barren, howling wilderness; he surrounded him, cared for him, and protected him as the pupil of his eye. 11 He watches over his nest like an eagle and hovers over his young; he spreads his wings, catches him, and carries him on his feathers.”
God had a stubborn love for his people, while they had a stubborn heart of rebellion towards him.
A Meditation to PRAY
Praise | Lord, I praise you for your unwavering love and faithfulness. Your desire for your people to listen and follow your ways is a testament to your excellent care. Thank you for the promise of blessings and protection for those who obey you.
Release | I release my stubbornness and reluctance to heed your voice. Help me to surrender my will and the pride that keeps me from fully trusting you. I let go of any resistance that hinders my relationship with you.
Ask | I ask for a heart that listens and obeys your commands. Grant me the wisdom to follow your ways and not my own. Please fill me with a deep desire to seek and serve you wholeheartedly.
Yield | I yield my desires and plans to your perfect will. May I always walk in obedience and trust in your provision. I surrender my life to your guidance, knowing you lead me to abundance and peace.
