Hosanna Restoration Church

Early in the morning I was led to read Psalm 81, but before I did something distracted me. Later in the day I was reminded of what I had forgotten. The Psalm so perfectly met my need I wished I had not missed it earlier. The greatest thing was that I was once again reminded of how God meets our needs before we have the need. That is of course if we take what He offers us!

There is no doubt that we live in a world where there is always something trying to squeeze the life out of us and steal our joy. God has a perfect solution for that. He says to sing out loud to Him and make a joyful shout. Nothing clears out the enemy like a good praise fit.

It seems to me that this would be a good way to get a running start at a great 2008. If we will follow His plan, we can look forward to the promises found in this Psalm. We read in verse 6 how God removes burdens from our shoulders. God set Israel free from carrying the baskets of slavery. Is there anything that is burdening you? Have your hands been held down by baskets of trials? Well, sing and shout to the Lord!

In verse 7 God says that when they were in trouble and called He answered them. Do you have anything troubling you that you have done everything you know of in order to handle it except call on God? How often do we struggle needlessly when God is waiting to help us? It is not weak to call on God, it is wise.

God then reminds us that we should not have any other god before Him. If we will just listen, His plan is a great one. He says, “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” I am sorry to say that sometimes I open my mouth wide, but not the way I should! This reminds me that if I want good things I should listen to the Lord!

Finally, would you like to see your enemies subdued? Would you like to experience continual victory? Would you like the Lord to satisfy you with honey from the rock? I would! I see this as a promise to make the hardest of places sweet. I see God promising to bless us when it looks as though nothing but famine is around us.

All He requires is our love and our praise. He wants nothing more from us than our trust. He just wants us to believe that He is who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He will do.

Now that is something to sing aloud to Him about. Let’s give God a joyful shout. May God help us all to have a singing and shouting race into the New Year.