Psalm 81:13, 14 Oh that my people had listened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways!… I. GOD HAS SPOKEN AND REVEALED TO MAN THE WAY OF LIFE. God's ways are the ways of life. 1. God's way is the way of law. Physical and moral and spiritual. "Whatsoever a man soweth," etc.; "To him that hath shall be given," etc. 2. God's way is the way of love. 3. God's way is the way of faith. So that through it he dispenses pardon, strength, and comfort. II. THE SIN OF MAN IS INCONSIDERATION OF GOD'S WAYS. This leads to: 1. A neglect of the Divine rule of life. An inconsiderate man is a man without understanding, a man without a steadfast purpose, given over to pleasure and selfishness. 2. A forfeiture of the Divine help against our difficulties. An inconsiderate man cannot accept or use the Divine help. III. GOD'S LAMENT OVER THIS INCONSIDERATION. 1. It hindered him from a benevolent exercise of his power on their behalf. "I gave them up to the stubbornness of their heart:" that was all God could do for them. 2. They are defeated by their enemies in the battle of life. It is only by God's help we can conquer in the great struggle we have to maintain. 3. God could not nourish them with heavenly food. (Deuteronomy 32:13.) The finest of the wheat and honey out of the rock. Like the prodigal, they lived upon the husks. - S. Parallel Verses KJV: Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!WEB: Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! |
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