Thoughts from Psalm 81

Oh that My people would listen to Me,

That Israel would walk in My ways!

I would quickly subdue their enemies

And turn My hand against their adversaries.

Those who hate the LORD would pretend obedience to Him,

And their time of punishment would be forever.

But I would feed you with the finest of wheat,

And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.

Psalm 81:13-16

As I set out this morning to talk about this passage, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it justice.  I'm afraid I won't be able to clearly communicate how these words arrested my thoughts today.  I am so guilty of loving to read the good things in scripture, the ways the Lord says He'll bless obedient people, but completely glossing over the dire warnings for the disobedient.  I have spoken frequently of Isaiah 30:18, and how the Lord longs to be gracious and rises to show us compassion, but just because one longs for something doesn't mean that longing can be fulfilled.  God cannot honor disobedience.  

This morning, as I read Psalm 81, I was reminded of that truth anew.  It's as if the Lord says, "If Israel, my people, would just walk obediently, I would do so many incredible things for them!  I want so badly for them to turn and listen and obey so that I can not just satisfy them, but pour out abundance on them!"  

Then my heart was pierced by verse 15, "Those who hate the LORD would pretend obedience to Him ..." My thoughts exploded with a resounding question, "What does it mean to pretend obedience?"  It's a frightening thought because somehow, deep down inside, I know it's something I'm guilty of doing.  Pretending obedience.  Faking obedience.  Doing the right things with the wrong heart.  God says those who do that, hate Him and are faced with eternal punishment.  It's serious.

Thankfully, we know that the righteous redemption of Jesus has taken away eternal punishment for all who call on Him, but it is still a sobering reminder of how seriously God views disobedience.  And, what His heart's desire is for His children.  

"But I would feed you with the finest of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." My prayer this morning is that I would not just be someone God wants to bless, but that I would be an obedient someone God can and will bless in the ways that He longs to do.