Psalms 81:6 “I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.”
We like Israel of old have reason to “Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.” (Psalm 81:1); for, as “God” “removed” Israel’s “shoulder from the burden” of slave labor to the Egyptians, He mercifully removes our “shoulder from the” burdens often cast upon us in our lives. Jacob (Israel) had fled to Egypt with his family to get relief from an awful famine that was devastating the land. The famine was severe, but “God” made provision for their relief long before the famine began. Out of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery; but “God” turned their mean behavior into deliverance for Israel, Joseph was later taken out of slavery and made a great ruler in Egypt. In his position of power and authority, Joseph provided a refuge for his family in Egypt. But, later, wicked rulers in Egypt enslaved Israel because they were becoming a great people and very numerous. But, “God” was still providentially working, He raised up Moses to lead them out of Egypt and into the land of Canaan that He had promised to Abraham many years prior. Though we often pass through periods of great burdens and trials in our lives; the same “God” that providentially “removed” Israel’s “shoulder from the burden”, is even now providentially working to deliver us from our burdens and trials. And, on an eternal level, “God” was providentially preserving a lineage through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that led to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, Who “saved his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Our works often fail, but our God’s works never fail! So, let us joyfully “Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.”!