GOD WILL GUIDE YOU, ONLY IF YOU WILL LISTEN TO HIM

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE For SATURDAY, 10TH JUNE, 2023.

TOPIC:  GOD WILL GUIDE YOU, ONLY IF YOU WILL LISTEN TO HIM

MEMORIZE: "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.” — Deuteronomy 28:1 (NKJV)

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 81:8-12

“Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! 9 There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. 10 I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 "But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. 12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels.” (NKJV).

EXPOSITION:

Communication and guidance makes the relationship stronger and brings safety. We sometimes find ourselves in troubles and pains that we could have avoid if we have not stray away from God. He loves and cares for us that He wants us to build an intimate relationship with Him and trust His guidance as to obey Him. In this Psalm 81, God, by the psalmist, here speaks to Israel, and in them to us, on whom the ends of the world are come. Let us learn two important lessons from what God demands from them. 

I. GOD DEMANDS THEIR DILIGENT AND SERIOUS ATTENTION TO WHAT HE WAS ABOUT TO SAY (Ps 81:8):  

"Hear, O my people! and who should hear me if my people will not? I have heard and answered thee; now wilt thou hear me? Hear what is said with the greatest solemnity and the most unquestionable certainty, for it is what I will testify unto thee. Do not only give me the hearing, but hearken unto me, that is, be advised by me, be ruled by me." It is one thing to hear, but most important thing is to listen. Listening connotes understanding and carrying out the instructions as demanded. This eventually produce obedience that leads to blessings - Deuteronomy 28:1-2.

Nothing could be more reasonably nor more justly expected, and yet God puts an "if" upon it: "If thou wilt hearken unto me. It is thy interest to do so, and yet it is questionable whether thou wilt or not; for thy neck is an iron sinew."  The choice to either listen to God or not is ours. God calls for our obedient response to His leading.

II. GOD REMINDS THEM OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO HIM AS THE LORD THEIR GOD AND REDEEMER (Ps 81:10):

 I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt; this is the preface to the ten commandments, and a powerful reason for the keeping of them, showing that we are bound to it in duty, interest, and gratitude, all which bonds we break asunder if we be disobedient.

Let's consider two things that God is saying to us today:

1. THE GREAT COMMAND was that they should have no other gods before him (Ps 81:9): There shall no strange god be in thee, none besides thy own God. Other gods might well be called strange gods, for it was very strange that any people who had the true and living God for their God should hanker after any other. God is jealous in this matter, for he will not suffer his glory to be given to another; and therefore in this matter they must be circumspect, Exodus 23:13 “And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.”

2. THE GREAT PROMISE was that God himself, as a God all- sufficient, would be nigh unto them in all that which they called upon him for (Deuteronomy 4:7-9 "For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? "Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.), God promised that, if they would adhere to him as their powerful protector and ruler, they should always find him their bountiful benefactor.

PRAYER POINT:  Lord, give me hearing ear to hear and obey your commandment for my good in Jesus name.

ii.  God, touch the stony hearts of the disobedients and make it receptive to Your Word. Let them become vessels of honor in Your hands in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Psalms 53-56.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word. Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com