“You called in trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder; I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah. “I, the Lord , am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.”
Ps 81:7‭, ‬10
One of my favorite songs beginning lyrics and chorus go like this,
“Before I call, Before I ever cry, You answer me
From where the thunder hides. I can’t outrun
this heart I’m tethered to-
When every step, I collide with You.
Like a tidal wave crashing over me,
Rushing in to meet me here, Your love is fierce!
Like a hurricane that I can’t escape, tearing through the atmosphere.
Your love is fierce!”
The song means that God’s love is unstoppable! This Psalm means the same thing!
Notice how its written from GOD’S perspective! He says, “you called and I ANSWERED-I RESCUED YOU!” “I answered you in the hiding place of thunder!” Where does God answer our cries for help? From Heaven! When does He answer? BEFORE we call!
God further answeres, “I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah”. Meribah was a tight spot for Moses. After God had rescued them from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites, on their journey back to the land of their ancestor, Anraham, became angry with God andvwith Moses because they had no water. God insructed Moses to strike the rock with his staff, which he did, and out flowed water in the desert! Moses named the place ?Meribah”, a place of contention! Its within that context that God reminds the reader that He had proved them and had proven Himself to them! He further, emphatically says, “I Am the Lord, your God!” “I rescued you from Egypt! Open you mouths and I will feed you-In other words, I’ll suppy all your needs!”
How easy it is forget what God has done for us in the past when life gets bitter and contentious! God is eager to remind us that thoughout history He’s saved His people from the most conflict filled, bitter situations and that He’ll save us again! CALL OUT TO HIM! HE’S WAITING!