Pastor YC "Psalm 81: IF"

Imagine all Singaporeans enslaved under foreigners, labouring in a land where we do not even understand the language our oppressors speak.

"where we heard a language we did not understand." Ps 81:5b

That was the situation that God delivered the Israelites from. They were captive in Egypt and totally oppressed. They had no means and no strength to be able to fight back. But God did this for them:

PS 81:6 He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.
PS 81:7 In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

(Yes, God even made water flow out of the rock at Meribah)

IF, IF, IF.....

PS 81:8 "Hear, O my people, and I will warn you-- if you would but listen to me, O Israel!
PS 81:13 "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways

What why would a people not listen to God? Why would people not follow his ways?

PS 81:10 ... Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

PS 81:14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

PS 81:16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

???????????????????????????????????????????