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PSALM 81:8-16

"GOD'S LAMENTATION"

I. "HEAR, O MY PEOPLE."
        A. God is calling to His own chosen.
                1. As the lament of Jesus over Jerusalem.
                2. God sorrows over the lost world.
                3. He also sorrows over His people.

II. HIS LAMENT WAS OVER LOST LOVE.
        A. He warns them against strange gods.
                1. It is interesting the strange things man will believe when he
                   rejects truth.
                        a. "I believe that man evolved out of the primordial ooze."
                        b. I believe that god is the positive force in every man.
                        c. God can be discovered by sitting in a contorted position.
                2. The strange passions man will devote his life to.
                        a. He may hate God, but love football.
                        b. Love his Datsun.
                        c. Love some kinky form of sex.
        B. "My people would not hearken to My voice, and Israel would none of Me."
                1. The one I love will have nothing to do with me.
                2. The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return.
                        a. The worst thing is to love and not be loved in return.
                        b. This was the basis for God's lament.
        C. "So I gave them up to their own heart's lust."
                1. Sometimes the worst thing that can happen to you is to receive your
                   own heart's desire.
                        a. As long as we can't have it it seems so appealing.
                                1. I dream of how nice it would be.
                                2. I picture myself in ultimate happiness.
                        b. My mother was always health conscious.
                                1. Proper diet, proper exercise.
                                2. No cokes, coffee, candy.
                                3. I used to fantasize over cokes.

III. HIS SORROW OVER THEIR LOSS.
        A. He desired to fill their lives.
                1. "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."
                        a. Little birds in nest.
                        b. Expectancy, anticipation
                        c. Our attitude before God.
        B. He desired to be their defense "I would have subdued their enemies."
                1. The gods they chose so weakened them they were destroyed by
                   their enemies.
                2. People who give themselves over to their own lusts soon become captives.
        C. He desired to give them victory over their enemies. vs. 14, 15
        D. He desired to give them the best.
                1. Finest of wheat.
                2. Honey out of rock.
                3. "Should I have satisfies thee."

IV. THE SAD TESTIMONY OF HISTORY.
        A. Israel turned to other gods.
        B. Israel was subdues by her enemies.
        C. Recent diggings on Jerusalem tell the tragic story.