“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me.” (Psalm 81:11)

This is a sad verse in a rather sad Psalm. For all that God did for Israel, the nation turned its back on Him. They were in slavery in Egypt, and God set them free, but they did not listen to what He told them to do. God directed them to have no strange or foreign gods, but they quickly went into idolatry.

“Open your mouth wide,” God said, “And I will fill it.” But they rejected Him. They complained and tested Him in spite of his steadfast love. God continued to call them to follow Him, but they rejected His pleas. God offered rest from their enemies, the finest wheat and the sweetness of honey but no, they wanted other gods who could give them nothing. Like Esau of old, they traded the blessings of God for a sensuous appetite.

We have come full circle. The god of this world has blinded us to the God who says, “Open wide.” A nation that once rejoiced in God now shut their ears to His voice. They will not submit but instead move to have His name removed from their consciousness. God pleads in the Psalm, and Jesus pled over Jerusalem. But they did not hear in Israel, nor in Jerusalem and they are not hearing today.

Israel was lost in captivity. It is no more. Jerusalem was overrun by Romans, her temple destroyed and her way of life lost forever. This is what happens when people ignore God. This is what happens when people will not submit to the rule of God. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

Task for Today: Listen to the voice of God today. Make certain your will is submitted to His. In every people that were destroyed or punished by God, there was always a remnant. Be a remnant. Hold to your faith in spite of what you see going on in the world and nation around you. God will not punish the righteous with the wicked but will reward them. Open wide your mouth.