
I thought about that as I read Psalm 81 this morning and imagined how our Heavenly Father must feel at times about His wayward children! Here’s how the sons of Asaph expressed it in God-inspired words…
“I relieved your shoulder of the burden… In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you… Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! If you would but listen to me! But my people did not listen to my voice; they would not submit to me! So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Oh, that my people would listen to me, that they would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.” (From Psalm 81 ESV)
Oh, may I never respond to my Heavenly Father in that way! May I always be sensitive and responsive to the loving overtures of the Holy Spirit deep within my heart! And if you or I have rebelliously gone our own way, may we humble ourselves, acknowledge our error, and return to Father’s house (cp. Luke 15:11-24 the parable of the prodigal)… “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! … Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 139:23-24 and Psalm 19:14)