Psalm 81 - Rejoice in God's Protection, Saving Grace and Submit to Him

Demonstrate Christ-centered love, obedience, respect in all your life roles Rejoice in God’s protection, saving grace and submit to him Col 3:18 – 4:1 Stewardship 1-41 42-72 73-89 90-106 107-150 Israel’s exile and downfall of David’s royal line Reference: Bibleproject Psalm 81 For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph. 1 Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! 2 Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre. 3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival; 4 this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5 When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph. I heard an unknown voice say: 6 “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. 7 In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. 8 Hear me, my people, and I will warn you— if you would only listen to me, Israel! 9 You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me. 10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. 11 “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. 13 “If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, 14 how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! 15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. 16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” ▪ Celebrate and rejoice ▪ Miraculous provision ▪ Submission to him 1 Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! 2 Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre. 3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival; 4 this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5 When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph. Reference: www.learnreligions.com "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37-38, NIV) "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12, NIV) ▪ Celebrate and rejoice ▪ Miraculous provision ▪ Submission to him I heard an unknown voice say: 6 “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. 7 In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. ▪ Celebrate and rejoice ▪ Miraculous provision ▪ Submission to him 11 “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. 13 “If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Prov 19:21 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6 If you love me, follow my commandments John 14:15 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Prov 19:21 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6 If you love me, follow my commandments John 14:15 Rejoice in God’s protection, saving grace to submit to him ▪ Always remember our God is the almighty who provides abundantly for us and therefore we should listen and follow his plans for us I. Celebrate and rejoice But celebrate, commemorate and remember It is a decree, an ordinance, a statute to do this God’s provision to Israelites and continues to us through Jesus and his new covenant with us "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37-38, NIV) E. "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12, NIV) A. B. C. D. II. Miraculous provision A. God provided water for Israelites out of rock in the desert and 2nd time at Meribah B. “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 14 C. God provides daily and in obscure but also often in miraculous ways III.Submission to him A. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Prov 19:21 B. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6 C. If you love me, follow my commandments John 14:15 D. Governments, media and society tells us to just focus on ourselves and own benefit – that’s not how Jesus instructed and exampled for us E. We need to be different and submit to him and therefore think not only of our own well-being 1.Do we truly celebrate and commemorate all he has done for us – not just at a festival once a year A. It should be done consistently and perhaps daily or more 2.Can we see past the challenges, turmoil and concentrate on the blessings? Are we able to remember God’s faithfulness of salvation and presence in our lives? 3.Do we look to him and allow him to be our guiding light or do we continue to walk in darkness by following what the world or ourselves lead us? 4.Can you think of and share any times where God has provided for you in “water of a rock” ways (miraculously) or share of testimonies you have recently heard? 5.Are you getting the 8 glasses of “spiritual” water every day? 6.Have you seen or heard examples of the recent “self-centered” trends and messages that have troubled you?