The devil’s lie is that God’s commands impede our happiness; they are, in fact, His portals to blessing.
Psalm 81 is a duet! The first five verses are sung by the psalmist, but verses 6-16 are sung by God Himself, with the psalmist joining in on the last verse. Let’s celebrate God, he says! “Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute. Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day” (Ps 81:1-3). We’re reminded that these celebrations were God’s idea. “For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob” (v 4). After Israel was delivered from Egypt (v 5), the Lord established the annual festivals as times of celebration (see Lev 23). But now the Lord wants to explain why things are not as happy as they should, and could, be. Israel, remember how the story began, says the Lord. “I removed his shoulder from the burden; his hands were freed from the baskets. You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place” (Ps 81:6-7). Yes, says the Lord, I came to your rescue in Egypt. But the first dark cloud appears with the words, “I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.” (v 7). We’ll need to think about that! First, Israel’s decline began with doubt, when they said, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Ex 17:7). If He IS here, we don’t notice much difference. But this led to open rebellion at Kadesh, when “Israel would have none of Me” (Ps 81:11). It isn’t that the Lord isn’t ready and willing to help Israel. “I would soon subdue their enemies” (v 14). How much blessing we miss by insisting on our own way! Concludes the psalmist, “He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; and with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you” (v 16). The way back to God is the only way back to blessing.