Psalm 81reminds me a father talking to his teenage son. He is asking the teen to trust him, because he has been there. The father is telling his son to remember what he has been taught from his youth. He is urging the son to go forward, leaning on the wisdom in God’s Word and the experience they have knowing that God is faithful. Teens can sometimes get moody, particularly when they don’t immediately get their way. He begins, “Sing for joy to God our strength“. Parents and children often don’t agree on music genre. It is easy to picture the teen roll his eyes at the mention of the “old school” music. “Begin the music, strike the tambourine… harp and lyre“. One thing is certain, when we sing of God’s work, it is always uplifting. Next we see that teenage boys frequently need reminders. You can almost hear him say, “Did you set your alarm? Saturday is mom’s birthday… don’t forget!” “Sound the ram’s horn… on the day of our Feast; this is a decree for Israel… He established it as a statute“. The psalmist is talking about how God lead the Hebrews out of captivity. It is interesting that he begins writing God’s words very personally. “I removed the burden from their shoulders… In your distress, you called and I rescued you“. Although I believe God blesses nations, it is His personal relationship with individuals that creates unity. Maybe He is talking to you?
Teens also need to be reminded of dangers. Here he mentions the place where perhaps the most revered man in Jewish history completely blew it. “I tested you at the waters of Meribah“. Remember in Numbers chapter 20 God gave Moses instructions, “Take the staff… and gather the people together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water“. Sadly, Moses does not do what God commanded, instead we read “Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff“. Don’t forget, this was the second time God poured out water from a rock. 1 Corinthians 10:4 makes it clear that the rock represents Jesus Christ. In John 7:37 Jesus Himself declares, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the scripture has said, streams of living waters will flow from within him.” Jesus was crucified once for our sins. Now, we simply need to call on His Name to be saved. Moses ruined the symbol God intended for His people. It was this act that prevented Moses from entering the Promised Land. That does not mean God was finished with Moses. Sometimes AFTER we mess up, we become much more useful.
The psalm ends with a lesson that many parents learn slowly. It is our responsibility to “train up a child in the way he should go”, but we cannot make decisions for children for ever. Young people will eventually make their own choices. He begins with the most important thing, “Hear, O my people, and I will warn you if you would but listen to Me… have no foreign god“. We can put a lot of things before God if we are not careful. Next he adds, “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it“. I believe that if we listen to God’s wisdom, we will be both satisfied and able to speak of His work in our life. God does not change, “I am the Lord your God“. He gives us the choice, “My people would not listen to Me… So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.” It’s funny, but no one is more miserable than someone rebelling against God that knows better. It is no fun living with one foot in the world and one foot in the church. I think sometimes teens can come in all ages. The psalm ends with a note of encouragement. “If My people would but listen to Me… how quickly would I subdue their enemies… I would satisfy you“. Friend, are you satisfied? Is something missing from your life? In Matthew 16:18 Jesus confirms the apostle Peter’s statement that He is the Savior and adds, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hadeswill not overcome it“. Maybe it is time to speak to the Rock?