Read Psalm 81:11-16. 11“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 12So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. 13Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! 14I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes. 15Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him, and their fate would last forever. 16But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
Psalm 81 was written for the Feast of Tabernacles, that yearly festival that remembered the provision of God for the Israelites in the wilderness. God wants to be our provider and our provision. He wants to give us the finest wheat and be our bread of life. He wants to bring honey out of a rock. Something out of nothing. Good from bad. Joy from sorrow. Dancing from mourning.
But we often do not want what he wants to give – But my people did not listen to my voice.
The difference between the Israelites of Psalm 81 and those who are in Christ is clear. God has not and will not give us over to our stubborn hearts and our own counsels. Because Christ dwells in our hearts through faith these are no longer even categories for us. In Christ our stubborn heart of stone has been replaced with a heart of flesh. In Christ we obey God from the heart. In Christ his Spirit is our constant counselor and guide. In Christ the cross is glory, weakness is strength, and rocks are honey.
To live is Christ gives us the hope of glory, a hope that lets us draw the sweet honey of God’s love and faithfulness from the rocks of life.
You: What rocks has God turned into honey for you lately?
You in Christ: Union with Christ is the greatest something from nothing ever. How does knowing that God turned you, a nothing, into a something in him surprise you? Encourage you? Humble you?
Christ in you: Is there a tough situation that you need to re-evaluate today in light of Christ in you?
Pray: Jesus, with you the rocks of life reveal the honey of your grace. Help me today to taste and see that you are good. Amen.
To Live is Christ 