Read: Psalm 81
I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. (v. 10)
In verse 8, we read, “If you would but listen to me!” In verse 11, “My people did not listen to my voice.” In verse 13, “Oh, that my people would listen to me.”
God expects unbelievers not to listen to him, but what grieves him is when his own people do not listen. We need to ask ourselves if we are really listening to God.
What is he saying to us, that we should listen? We find that out in the Bible. He says that we should trust in him for everything. He says we should obey him in everything. He says we should live holy lives. He says that we should give spreading the good news about Jesus Christ a top priority in our lives. He says we should set examples of godliness to our children.
James says the Bible is like a mirror. We look in it to see our true condition. We use it to examine ourselves. But it is so easy to see ourselves, and then forget to do anything about it. Are you listening to God? What is he saying to you? What are you doing about it? He longs to see obedience in our lives. He promises to bless us richly if we listen obediently to his word. “Oh, that my people would listen to me . . . with honey from the rock I would satisfy you” (vv. 13, 16). Are you satisfied? Obey God and you will be. —Harry Buis
As you pray, ask God to give you listening ears and an obedient heart.
About the Author
The Rev. Harry Buis served as a Reformed Church in America pastor for 41 years, serving six congregations. He had a consuming passion for the Word of God, preached and written, and would take up his pen to share that passion at a moment’s notice. His enthusiasm for God and the Bible was his signature. Rev. Buis edited the Words of Hope daily devotional for twenty years, and wrote several books and numerous articles. He also taught as an adjunct at Hope College, Western Theological Seminary, and Kuyper College. He served the church in many capacities, and was elected President of General Synod of the RCA in 1980. Rev. Buis died of cancer in 2001.
