Scripture Reading : Psalm 81
Theme : Festivity Commemorating and Exhorting
- Celebration that Commemorates (1–7). This song is a festive celebration in memory of the Lord’s deliverance. It has been traditionally identified with the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:33–36, 39–43; Deut. 16:13–15). In the psalm Asaph summoned the people to the festival which God had ordained as a memorial to His great deliverance of them from bondage in Egypt. Using the witness of history, the writer declared that the Lord would turn their affliction away if they would worship Him alone, not idols, and obey Him. The psalmist wrote that God said that by the Exodus He relieved the Israelites of their burden and in the wilderness He tested them at Meribah (Ex. 17:7; Num. 20:13; Pss. 95:8; 106:32). The Feast of Tabernacles reminded Israel of the wanderings.
- Celebration that Exhorts (8–16). The psalmist then exhorted the Jews to repent from all idols and to worship God alone. The result of idol worship would be suffering through defeat, famine and death. The Jews must repent and return to worship God if they want life and blessing. He alone is the source of life and blessing.
Praying the Scripture
Celebrating festive days, like Christmas, Easter and Tabernacle, is a form of worship and praise. These holidays remind us of God’s goodness and exhort us to worship Him. These holidays, like the Feast of Tabernacles, are designed to exhort us to repent from idols and worship God. If we worship idols in our hearts, we will continue to suffer (Ps. 16:4). Idols can be subtle, it can be your job, parents, spouse, children, money, status, possession, authority, praise of man, accomplishments, school grades, etc. Whatever brings you more happiness and worthy than God, that is your idol. May you pray and examine your heart to cleanse your heart from idols that remain in your heart and are hurting your souls (1 John 5:21). Idols hurt nations, communities and individuals.
经文：诗篇81
主题：带有纪念价值和神之劝告的欢庆
- 含有纪念价值的庆祝（1-7）。这首诗是一首欢庆的诗，纪念的是耶和华的拯救。传统上，这与住棚节紧密相连（利23:33-36；申16:13-15）。在诗篇里，亚萨召众人来庆典，而这庆典也是神所命定的，为要犹太人纪念祂如何从埃及的捆绑中拯救他们。藉着历史的见证，诗人宣告若以色列只敬拜耶和华并顺服祂，不再崇拜偶像，耶和华必带走他们的痛苦。诗人也提到神曾说祂要藉着领以色列出埃使他们的重担得脱，并在旷野的利巴水试验他们（出17:7；民20:13；诗95:8，106:32）。住棚节提醒以色列他们流浪的日子。
- 含有神之劝告的庆祝（8-16）。诗人也劝勉犹太人从偶像敬拜中悔改，唯独敬拜神。拜偶像的后果就是战败、饥荒和死亡的痛苦。如果犹太人要生命和福分，他们必须悔改并且再次敬拜神。只有神是生命和福分的源头。
用经文祷告
庆祝节日，如圣诞节、复活节和住棚节，也是敬拜和赞美神的方式。这些假日提醒我们神的好，也劝勉我们要敬拜神。这些假日的目的，如住棚节，是要劝勉我们从偶像崇拜中悔改，敬拜真神。我们如果心里崇拜偶像，就会继续受苦（诗16:4）。偶像不一定是显性的；它可以是你的工作、父母、配偶、孩子、金钱、地位、财产、权威、人的赞美、成就、学业成绩等等。凡在神之上，给你带来更多喜乐和价值的，那就是你的偶像。愿你能祷告并审查你的心，叫你洗涤自己心中正在伤害你灵魂的偶像（约一5:21）。偶像会伤害国家、社会和个人。
