January 22, 2025

Could have, Should have #

Psalm 81:14-16 – God is speaking in these verses.

Introduction

We find at the end of this Psalm, God is expressing his sorrow, over what “Should have been”!  Have you ever expressed regret, remorse, frustration for something that should have been? It is most commonly expressed, when some action is done, and later regretted. Sometimes it is our own action, or someone else’s action that is regretted. We find God, sorrowful and giving us a glimpse of what “should have been”.

Let’s go back to the beginning of this chapter to see what is going on, and why God is telling us what should have been.

I. Decree of God (1-5) #

A. Singing (1-2) #

1. Voice (1) #

2. Instrumental (2) #

B. Celebration (3) #

C. Statute (4) #

1. God's LAW! - not just what He wanted, but what He mandated as LAW! #

II. Deliverance of God (5-10) #

A. Salvation (5-7) #

1. Return to history... and often starts with slavery in Egypt... much like salvation starts with slavery in sin. #

2. Burden rolled away (6) #

3. Learned to trust in God (7) - troubles... God took care #

B. Stipulation (8-9) - God has requirements #

1Cor. 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1. God is to be FIRST PLACE and priority. #

Ex. 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

C. Statement (10) #

1. If He is God enough to deliver and save us, then we should treat him as such! #

III. Disappointment of God (11-12) #

A. Lack of Listening (11) #

B. Lust of heart (12) - they followed their heart, they sought counsel from men, not God! #

IV. Deploring of God (13-16) #

Deplore – 1. to feel or express grief; to regret strongly 2. to consider unfortunate or deserving of deprecation.

A. Sadness (13) #

1. Sighhhh - You can hear God sigh out of disappointment. #

2. God desires us to listen & OBEY! #

B. Subdued Enemies (14-15) #

1. Endurance would still be required... "soon" 14 #

2. Enemies vanquished! - God would delivered! - 14-15a #

3. Everlasting victory 15b #

C. Satisfaction (16) #

1. God provides true satisfaction! #

Psa. 81:11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.