Definite Desire For Deliverance

Psalms 81:1–16
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This psalm is more concerned with the deliverance from Egypt than with thanksgiving for an abundant harvest. As the psalmist traces the Exodus he passes quickly to the wilderness trials which was a test. In this chapter we can learn some valuable lessons from rebellious Israel:

1. Return to God (vv. 1-5) - Have you ever heard someone say, “I wish I could have a new start! If only I could start all over again!” What a terrible experience life would be if it were not possible for us to have a fresh start. The trumpet sound in this psalm is the sound of a new beginning (v. 3). However, if we start again without God, we will make the same mistakes all over again. The only good start is to start with God.
2. Reflect on God’s Deliverance (vv 6,7) - God does not need armies and alliances to bring a nation to its knees. He has His own weapons such as flies, frogs, boils, blood, lice, locusts, darkness and death. He took Israel out of the house of bondage. Certainly the nation should have never ceased to be grateful to God for this great salvation.
3. Reject false Gods (vv. 8,9) - God claims first place in our hearts. Putting anything in His place is a form of idol worship. Yet Israel gave itself over almost wholly to idol worship.
4. Reach out in prayer (v. 10) - In this verse we see the God of past redemption, “who brought you up from the land of Egypt” (v. 10) and the God of future blessing, open your mouth wide and I will fill it (v. 10). This was a favorite verse of George Mueller. He clothed and housed thousands of orphans, and yet did not ask man for money; he just asked God.
5. Recognize the consequences of Disobedience (vv. 11-16) - Stubborn disobedience always leads to failure (vv. 11,12). Repentance and obedience always leads to victory (vv. 13,14).

Application

On a scale of 1-10 I need to ask how I honestly rate in fulfilling the five points listed above?