Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Missed Opportunities
Today's Verse:
I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. ~Psalm 81:10-11
Psalm 81 is described as a psalm written upon Gittith. Gittith means a winepress. It is a musical instrument that most likely was played as grapes were being treaded upon at the winepresses. Typically the playing of such an instrument celebrated a bountiful harvest. It could also be played as a reflection of regret. This inscription of being written upon Gittith is used three times: Psalm 8, 81, and 84. This psalm is most prominently known for v. 10, which is an invitation to pray. As we read this psalm, we read tragic statements concerning Israel. Statements such as “my people would not”; “I gave them up”; “he should have.” Israel missed golden opportunities for their lives. Let us see the tragedy of missed opportunities.
We see the favorable definition.
An opportunity is a specific event, moment, or venture that could result in substantial gain or favorable circumstances. It is an event that may have a limited window of time for a person to take advantage of. It is an event that is unique to that time and moment for the one who has been given the opportunity.
We see a faithful deliverance.
The psalmist recounts God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Interestingly, he refers to God as the God of Jacob. The God of Jacob refers to how merciful God was to Jacob in spite of the fact that he had a reputation as a supplanter and a deceitful person. In v. 6 he says, “I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.” God wonderfully delivered Israel from the threat of continued bondage, persecution, and large-scale manslaughter. He took care of their every need as they began their walk of faith.
We see a Fatherly directive.
In v. 10, God was beckoning Israel to exercise great faith in His unending resources and infinite power. Just as God miraculously took them across the Red Sea, He challenged them to open their mouths wide for Him to fill. This is a term that describes a needy person approaching the throne of his king to bless him. The wider his mouth is open, the more the king is pleased to supply his need. God was telling them to exercise great faith in God’s ability. He encouraged them to journey forward and not be fearful of the unknown. He told them that as challenges came their way, they should call upon God to meet their need.
We see a foolish disobedience.
Tragically, the people would not. They wanted nothing to do with God. They fell to the temptation of idol worship. In their disobedience, they followed their own counsel to try to figure their way out. Their disobedience resulted in a removal of God’s protection and a lessening of His mercies in their midst. Instead of Israel having an advantage over their enemies, their enemies had an advantage over them.
We see the frustrating disappointments.
Israel had many missed opportunities! They missed the opportunities for answered prayer. They missed the opportunities of overcoming their adversaries. They missed the opportunities of having God’s best in their lives! He said in v. 16, “He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.” They missed the closeness of sweet fellowship with God. Missed opportunities are missed blessings and missed gains.
Are you missing opportunities that God is placing across your path? Are you missing seeing the power of God at work through answered prayer, salvation of sinners, victory over problems, and new doors being opened? If so, it’s time to reposition your heart’s desire towards God.
Have an advantaged God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Ezra 4-7
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