Sermon: “Oh That My People Would Listen”
Text: Psalm 81
One of the saddest words in all the Bible is found in Psalm 81:
“Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways.” (Psalm 81:13)
These are not the words of an angry God eager to punish. They are the words of a loving Father whose heart is grieved because His people would not listen. Psalm 81 reveals both the goodness of God and the tragedy of rejecting His voice.
The psalm begins with joy. God’s people are called to sing, shout, and praise the Lord with music. Worship was not meant to be a burden but a celebration. Israel had every reason to rejoice because God had brought them out of Egypt, broken the chains of slavery, and made them His own people. When we remember what Christ has done for us at Calvary, we too have every reason to worship. Praise should never depend upon our circumstances but upon the unchanging character of God.
God then reminds Israel of His faithfulness. He says, “I removed his shoulder from the burden.” He had heard their cries in Egypt, answered their prayers, and carried them through the wilderness. Time after time He proved Himself faithful. The same God who delivered Israel is the God who still delivers today. He knows our burdens, hears our prayers, and is able to carry us through every trial.
Yet despite all His goodness, Israel turned away. God says with sorrow,
“But my people would not hearken to my voice.”
This was not because God had failed them. It was because they chose not to listen. They preferred their own ways over God’s ways. One of the greatest dangers for every believer is not open rebellion but slowly drifting from the voice of God. The world is full of voices calling for our attention, but the Lord still says, “Hear My voice.”
Because Israel continually refused Him, God allowed them to follow the path they had chosen. Sometimes God’s judgment is simply allowing people to experience the consequences of their own decisions. A life lived apart from God can never produce lasting peace.
Yet the psalm does not end in despair. It ends with one of the greatest invitations in Scripture.
“Oh that my people had hearkened unto me…”
Notice God’s heart. He is not looking for ways to reject His people; He longs to bless them. He says that if they had obeyed Him, He would have subdued their enemies, strengthened them, and fed them with the finest wheat and honey from the rock. Honey from the rock reminds us that God can bring sweetness out of the hardest places. He can provide where no one else can. What seems impossible to us is possible with God.
This psalm points us to Jesus Christ. Israel often failed to obey, but Jesus obeyed His Father perfectly. Through His death and resurrection, He made a way for us to be forgiven and restored. Today Christ still calls,
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
The question is not whether God is speaking. The question is whether we are listening.
Perhaps the Lord is calling you to trust Him more deeply. Perhaps He is asking you to forgive someone, to leave behind a sinful habit, to begin serving Him, or simply to spend more time in His presence. Whatever His voice is saying, do not harden your heart.
Psalm 81 reminds us that God delights in blessing His people. His commands are not given to rob us of joy but to lead us into abundant life. His heart has not changed. He still says, “Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.”
May we be people who worship with joyful hearts, remember God’s faithfulness, listen carefully to His voice, and walk in His ways. Then we will discover that His promises are true, His provision is sufficient, and His blessings are greater than we could ever imagine.
Amen.
GOD IS A GOOD GOD
GOD KNOWS, GOD LOVES, GOD CARES
Written for georgeswebministries
25rd June 2026