Taking time to Listen

Read Psalm 81.

It was a time to celebrate.

Everyone, by statute, was to gather at this time to loudly sing and play on the instruments.  Most believe this took place at the Feast of Tabernacles.  God answered prayer!  They called on Him and He delivered Israel from the slavery of Egypt. 

But after all He had done for them, they turned aside from obeying the LORD.

It was a time to listen.

Three times (verses 8, 11, 13) the Psalmist speaking on behalf of God called the people to listen to what God had said to them.  Inexplicably, they gave themselves to strange gods and false teachings.  He chose not to strike them dead, but instead some of the most chilling words in the Bible are used, "So, I gave them over to their stubborn hearts."  (See also Romans 1:26, 28).  He left them to go their own way and suffer the consequences of their own making.  This is the essence of sin.

It was a time to return.

The call from God is "Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways."  This call to live for the LORD comes with promises of blessings.  The LORD wants to protect us from those who would do us harm.  The LORD wants to provide for us so that we may be fulfilled in life.

No one else and nothing else can satisfy the true longing of the heart but God Himself.  It is stubborn rebellion in the heart that keeps people ever seeking and never experiencing true satisfaction.