Psalm 81 — Honey From The Rock — Aneel Aranha

Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Begin the music, strike the timbrel,
play the melodious harp and lyre.
Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,
and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;
this is a decree for Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
When God went out against Egypt,
he established it as a statute for Joseph.
I heard an unknown voice say:
“I removed the burden from their shoulders;
their hands were set free from the basket.
In your distress you called and I rescued you,
I answered you out of a thundercloud;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—
if you would only listen to me, Israel!
You shall have no foreign god among you;
you shall not worship any god other than me.
I am the LORD your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
“But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own devices.
“If my people would only listen to me,
if Israel would only follow my ways,
how quickly I would subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!
Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him,
and their punishment would last forever.
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

"But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." This is such a lovely promise where God assures us not only of provision but also of satisfaction. In ancient times, honey was highly prized as a sweet and nourishing substance. It symbolized abundance, delight, and the goodness of God's blessings.

But before we delve into the sweetness of honey, let us first understand the significance of the rock. In the Bible, the rock —a symbol of stability and strength— often represents God himself. In Psalm 18:2, David declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer." 

Now, as human beings, we all have deep longings and desires. We seek fulfillment, purpose, and love. Unfortunately, we often search for these things in the wrong places and find ourselves unsatisfied. Consequently, like the Israelites in the wilderness, we become spiritually hungry and thirsty, longing for something more substantial.

To fulfill our hunger, God offers us "honey from the rock," a metaphor for God's provision that will surpass our expectations. Just as honey is a sweet and nourishing substance, God's provision will satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. His ultimate provision is found in his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the embodiment of God's love, grace, and mercy – true honey from the rock.

Let us drink of him by praying with him, meditating on his word, and seeking his face. Let us drink to our heart's content.

God bless you.