Listen Up!
Opening Prayer
Spend a few minutes thinking of all God has done for you, and allow your heart to respond in praise and thanksgiving.
Read PSALM 78:1-31
[1] A maskil of Asaph. O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. [2] I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old- [3] what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. [4] We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. [5] He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, [6] so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. [7] Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. [8] They would not be like their forefathers- a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him. [9] The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle; [10] they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law. [11] They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them. [12] He did miracles in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan. [13] He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand firm like a wall. [14] He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. [15] He split the rocks in the desert and gave them water as abundant as the seas; [16] he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers. [17] But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. [18] They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. [19] They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the desert? [20] When he struck the rock, water gushed out, and streams flowed abundantly. But can he also give us food? Can he supply meat for his people?” [21] When the LORD heard them, he was very angry; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel, [22] for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance. [23] Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; [24] he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. [25] Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat. [26] He let loose the east wind from the heavens and led forth the south wind by his power. [27] He rained meat down on them like dust, flying birds like sand on the seashore. [28] He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents. [29] They ate till they had more than enough, for he had given them what they craved. [30] But before they turned from the food they craved, even while it was still in their mouths, [31] God’s anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What is to be told to the "next generation"?The psalm opens with a call to listen, to pay attention. It takes effort to notice and give thoughtful attention to God speaking. It is made clear here that this is important because we are to pass on to the next generation what God has said and done. They rely on us to tell them stories of God’s goodness and grace so that they, too, may discover what God is like and respond to him.
However, when the recounting of God’s amazing power in word and deed is done, the response of his people is not always glorious! This psalm discloses the stubbornness, rebellion and doubt of the Israelites, despite the obvious and repeated ways in which God was gracious to them.
Think about your own story in the same terms as the psalmist writes. Recall God’s goodness and grace in your life. Think about how you have doubted his love, lacked trust in his power and have met his faithfulness with unfaithfulness. This is our human condition! This is why we need the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. This is why we need God’s mercies, which are new every morning (Lam. 3:22-24).
Apply
Take up the challenges of the previous paragraph. Ask God to help keep you from any rebellion and doubt.
Closing prayer
Lord, when I think of who You are and all You’ve done for me, I want only to obey and please You.
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