A Father’s Love | Psalm 81
Sermon Summary
Psalm 81 is a song that calls Israel to repent and return to faithful obedience to the Lord. The psalmist reminds us that He is worthy and deserves our worship. By recalling some examples of Israel’s history, this psalm reminds us of the unfailing faithfulness of our God and His desire to bless His people.
Looking to Jesus and having confidence in His love for us will transform us and lead us to trusting in Him for all of our needs.
One Big Idea
Even in our lowest moments, God desires to satisfy us with His best. To stay passionate for Jesus for the long haul, we must learn to turn from worldly comforts and find our satisfaction in Him completely.
Key Scriptures:
Psalm 81:7 (NASB): “In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.”
Exodus 20:1-3 (NASB): And God spoke all these words: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.”
Psalm 115:7-8 (NASB): They have hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot walk; they cannot make a sound with their throat. Those who make them will become like them, Everyone who trusts in them.
Romans 2:4 (NASB): “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”
Truths to focus on this week:
We must engage our hearts with God: Every gathering of believers is an opportunity to encounter Him and be made alive in His presence. If our gatherings are not marked by worship and His presence, they will quickly become lifeless.
God desires intimacy: He wants our whole hearts, our devotion, and our allegiance. Only God can give us life! When we turn to other things to satisfy us they leave us empty and frustrated. We need to hear His loving desire to satisfy us.
We were made to obey God: God’s intention was always that His people would walk in His ways and be blessed, and be a blessing to the world. As we follow Jesus and obey Him, our hearts come alive and others are drawn to Him.
God desires to satisfy us: Even though Israel turned from God again and again, God’s heart was always for them. He longs to fight for us and satisfy us with the best, even when it seems like we’re far from blessing.
Reflection Questions
What causes you to doubt that God can satisfy you in your low moments, and leads you to seek comfort elsewhere?
What keeps you from regularly asking God when you read the Bible, “How can I obey this?”
If you were confident in God's love for you and believed He could satisfy you, what in your life would you no longer depend on?