…Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!” (Psalm 81:10b-13, NLT)

The encouragement to “open wide” is most often not associated with pleasant experiences. This phrase is most heard at the doctor’s office or perhaps in the kitchen before we are to receive some nasty tasting medicine.

God’s promise to us is that he will fill our mouths with good things. We don’t trust him, however, and we resolutely stand before him arms crossed and lips firmly shut. Stubborn desires for things we acquire for ourselves wins over the good things God wishes to freely place upon our tongues. We gorge ourselves on our own designs and ideas and then become angry with God when the taste of the outcome is sour.

God’s call to his people is amazingly singular…follow after me. God never promises exemption from life’s difficulties, but he does guarantee riches beyond belief and the personal care and attentions of the Almighty. His people continue to stump around, mouths full of junk when they need simply to deny themselves, take up their crosses and follow him (Mark 8.34).

Hear the heart cry of the Holy One of Israel.