Psalm 81:
“How Does God Feel About Us?”
“Oh that my people had hearkened unto me,
and Israel had walked in my ways!”
Many of us spend many anxious moments worrying about what other people
feel about us. Our appearance, background, education, accent, attitude,
and other characteristics affect how people perceive us. We know
that others are often right about us. And we know that they are often
wrong about us, too.
But how often do we wonder how God feels about us? And are we
willing to accept the fact that His feelings about us are never wrong?
Psalm 81 is a poem about this very theme. It will help us by
giving four answers to the question (81:6-16). These four answers
are given after a lengthy introduction (81:1-5). In the introduction,
the author invites his readers to “come to the place where you can praise
and learn.” In other words, if you really desire to understand the
significance of this question, and if you really do want to know how God
feels about you, there is a place where you can come and a method to follow
in order to come to a true understanding about how He feels about you.
Sing aloud to God our strength;
Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.
Raise a song and strike the timbrel,
The pleasant harp with the lute.
Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon,
At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.
For this is a statute for Israel,
A law of the God of Jacob.
This He established in Joseph as a testimony,
When He went throughout the land of Egypt,
Where I heard a language I did not understand.
The transition between verses 5 and 6 is in the difficult phrase, “Where I heard a language I did not understand.” The meaning appears to be that when this message was given to the people before they were freed from Egypt, they did not understand it. But, as they thought and obeyed, it became clear. Every generation must go through the same process—hear for the first time, think, hear again, obey, understand, grow, etc. And it takes a lifetime.
“I HANDLE YOUR BURDENS” (81:6,7).
I removed his shoulder from the burden;
His hands were freed from the baskets.
You called in trouble, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you!
O Israel, if you will listen to Me!
There shall be no foreign god among you;
Nor shall you worship any foreign god.
I am the LORD your God,
Who brought you out of the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
But My people would not heed My voice,
And Israel would have none of Me.
So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart,
To walk in their own counsels.
Oh, that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways!
I would soon subdue their enemies,
And turn My hand against their adversaries.
The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him,
But their fate would endure forever.
He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat;
And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you. (NKJV)
The lessons that Israel failed to learn from one generation to another are documented all through the Bible. The religious world in general has failed to ask the question that is the title of this article, and this explains why they so seldom search the scriptures in order to learn the things that please God. And sadly, the churches of Christ do it, too. The letters to churches in the New Testament show it, and the history of the church over the last 2000 years repeats it.
Why will we not learn “How Does God Feel About Us?” This is a question that really matters.
— Skip Andrews
Next Week:
Psalm 82:
It is time for ME to judge.
Duluth Lectureship
May 19-23, 2001
“Understandest Thou What Thou Readest?”
A Study of Great Bible Words
Listen to our Sunday services on the Web.
Just go to
duluthcofc.org
and follow the instructions.
SICK LIST: Greg
and Curt Davis’ father is on life support in the hospital in Indiana.
Belinda Weekley and Victoria Barbosa (the Hatchers’ granddaughter) have
sprained ankles. Jan Shifley and Lucy Jerrolds have been ill.
Niki Callender’s father has been in the hospital in Kentucky. Electa
Wilson is at Gwinnett Extended Care and can have visitors in the mornings.
PLANTATION SOUTH: Group 3 is in charge of the services today at 1:30.
CHILDREN’S CLASS: 5:30 today.
LADIES’ CLASS: Tuesday at 10:00.
LADIES’ RETREAT: All the ladies are encouraged to attend our retreat at the lake home in South Carolina of Paul & Cleah Boaz Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21. We will meet Sunday evening at 5:30 to make ride-share plans. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for food—those who are attending, please sign up.
5 x 5: Each Monday evening at 7:30 in April, we will be showing the video series, 5 x 5, at the building. We encourage you to attend and to invite your friends also. We had 14 at the second session.
FISHING REPORT: Students from the FOM class will meet Sunday evening, April 22, following evening services. Please bring snack foods and drinks.
TEACHING SUPPLIES:
If you can help with teaching supplies for the Philippines, please bring
Bible class items (construction paper, glue sticks, scotch tape,
crayons, etc.) and put them in the box in the foyer. We need to mail
these items by May 1. Thanks.
EHT—TEACHER TRAINING: Our first teacher training session to prepare for the summer quarter will be held before evening services on Sunday, April 29. We will meet at 4:45 to share ideas. Remember, our theme will be Jesus the Christ. Teacher manuals are in the fellowship room. For those ladies who are not teaching for the summer quarter, please come at 4:45 also—bring sharp scissors, and we will cut out flannelgraph figures.
BACK PEWS FOR OUR VISITORS: The elders are asking our members to leave the center two back pews for our visitors who may arrive late. Your cooperation is appreciated.
VOLUME 3:8 April 15, 2001