June 3

Psalm 81:11–12 (NIV)
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.

God so wants to “fill out mouths” if we would open them and confess His Word, His worth, our trust in Him and nothing else. What does God give us but ourselves. Have you ever known a bitter 35 year old? They are more bitter at 55! God gives us over to what we have refused to give to Him. What else can He do? Somehow we want God to take over, but never give him the driver’s seat.

Psalm 81:13–14 (NIV)
13 “If my people would only listen to me,
if Israel would only follow my ways,
14 how quickly I would subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!

The heart of God is to be on our side, to save us, to show His love for us, to give us mercy which triumphs over judgment. If we would just listen and follow, then… What wouldn’t He give us? Listen and follow.