Open wide
I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. ~ Psalms 81:10
On the side of our garage, there’s an awning that attracts birds every spring. They eagerly try to build their nests there, despite our attempts to discourage them for safety reasons. In years past, I’ve walked out to get something in that space and have seen baby birds with tiny open mouths poking out of their nests, waiting for their mother to return with food. This simple scene took on a new meaning for me after reading Psalm 81, where God proclaims His desire to abundantly provide for His people if they will only listen and follow Him:
Those baby birds, stretching their beaks wide, remind me of how we are given the opportunity each day to trust God completely for His provision. Just as the mother bird faithfully meets her baby’s needs, God longs to fill our lives with His blessings and meet every need, to the overflow.
According to this passage, there are ways you can position yourself for God’s overflow. The text provides insight into how we can position ourselves to receive the abundant blessings God wants to pour out:
- Listen to His Voice (Psalm 81:8-10) Just as baby birds instinctively trust their mother to provide, we must trust God by listening for His voice through His Word, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Actively seeking Him and following the directions He has given in His Word positions us for the blessings He’s prepared.
- Reject Idols (Psalm 81:9) God warns His people to have no other gods before Him. In our lives, this might mean letting go of things that compete for our trust—whether it’s reliance on our own strength, material possessions, or approval from others.
- Open Wide Your Mouth (Psalm 81:10) This vivid image is an invitation to approach God with faith and expectancy. Are you opening your life to His provision, or are you holding back out of fear or trying to control people and circumstances on your own? Like the baby birds, we must stretch ourselves wide to receive all He wants to give.
- Praise and Gratitude (Psalm 81:16) The passage ends with a beautiful promise: But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock, I would satisfy you. Gratitude positions our hearts to recognize and receive His goodness. When we praise Him for who He is and thank Him for what He’s already provided, we get our lives in line with His abundant nature.
Today I want to encourage you to take some practical steps to receive God’s overflow by staying close to the source: Just as baby birds depend on their mother’s presence, prioritize spending time with God daily through prayer, worship, and Bible reading. Follow His leading to unlock blessings. Ask yourself if there’s any area in your life where you’ve been resistant to His instructions and take steps to get on the path of His will. Expect His goodness to show up by shifting your mindset to anticipate His provision and favor, even in challenging circumstances. Lastly, be open to His surprises. Sometimes, God provides in ways we don’t expect—like “honey from the rock.” Trust that His timing and methods are perfect.
Remember, the sight of those baby birds, helpless yet fully confident in their mother’s provision, is a beautiful reminder of how we should live in dependence on our Heavenly Father. As this Psalm reminds us, God is faithful and eager to meet our needs, but He also invites us to position ourselves to receive His overflow. Open wide your heart, trust Him fully, and watch as He fills your life with His abundant blessings.
Today’s Scripture reading: Psalms 81
1 Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.
2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute.
3 Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day.
4 For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob.
5 This He established in Joseph as a testimony, when He went throughout the land of Egypt, where I heard a language I did not understand.
6 “I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the baskets.
7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8 “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me!
9 There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god.
10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11 “But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me.
12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels.
13 “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries.
15 The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him, but their fate would endure forever.
16 He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”
The Daily Dose 