May 19

Psalm 79-82

Young children think that a dinner of ice cream and brownies would be the greatest meal ever, not realizing the stomachache that would follow. Many of our psalms today speak to a similar mentality in the heart of every human. We are all prone to what feels good in the moment without any understanding of wisdom, eternity, or truth. God desires to lead us to freedom, while we are prone to enslave ourselves. Psalms 80 & 81 show how these events happened historically. God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, but then they voluntarily lived in spiritual bondage in Israel. They refused to listen to God, submit to him, and obey him, which kept them from walking in true freedom.

God made so much more available to them than they experienced. The same is true for us. Christ died to give us life, but we often do not experience the joy, peace, patience, and self-control the Spirit wants us to have. We find ourselves far too often following in the footsteps of the Israelites, rather than the footsteps of Jesus. So let us open our ears, humble ourselves, and walk in obedience to God.

Father God, I confess I often live as if my plans are better than yours. Help me to submit my plans, desires, and ways to you, and allow you to lead me into the fullness of life. Amen. 

Where are you not experiencing God’s freedom in your life and how can you take steps toward experiencing that?

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