8 "Hear, O my people, and I will warn you--if you would but listen to me, O Israel! 9 You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god. 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 but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I 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."

One of the more difficult tasks of being a parent (or grandparent) is when we see our young ones making a mistake in their lives but they will not listen to our warnings. While mistakes may serve to educate better than being told, it is often painful with long range consequences. So it is in this Psalm, God is lamenting the fact that his people will not listen to him and follow his advice. We look at Israel of old and wonder how they could be so blind and stubborn to refuse to allow God to lead them and bless them in abundance. He repeatedly promised his blessings if they would obey. He promised his protection and constant care if they would be faithful to him. At times they would heed and he was always faithful to his promises. In spite of this they would stray, worship other gods, trust in the nations around them and forget the paths of personal righteousness, compassion and love for one another. In their greed they would take advantage of those in their midst who could not defend themselves. It was then, true to his word, God would punish them.

But before we become too critical and self righteous, we need to look at ourselves closely. When we give God half hearted service or we allow the least thing to keep us from serving him at all; should we wonder why we don’t see his blessings abounding in our lives? When we follow our own will instead of his; why are we amazed that we don’t see God close to us? When we, in our greed, take advantage of others; can we expect God to protect us? God always knows what is best. Therefore we read that the whole purpose of man is to fear God and keep his commandments.

O God, open my heart, destroy my will and strengthen my faith so that I will listen to you and follow you in faithful submission. I know that you are all wise, that you made me and therefore know what is best for me. Help me to see what really matters by keeping my eyes on Jesus and the things that are above. Forgive my self righteousness and strip it from me. In Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we live for him in his will alone.