Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
80:2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!
80:3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
80:4 O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
80:5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.
80:6 You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.
80:7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
80:17 But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.
80:18 Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
80:19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Reflections
The Psalmist here is crying out to God to bring restoration to the nation of Israel. The nation had once again rejected God’s commandment of living in holiness and as punishment, experienced being taken captive.
The main point that this Psalm is bringing out is restoration. Restoration basically means the act of returning something back to its original state, place or condition. Israel’s place was to be in God’s presence and living only for Him.
As Christians, many of us will experience seasons in our lives in which we backslide in our faith and allow for temporary things to distract us from keeping our eyes focused on God. It is such an easy and dangerous trap to fall in. It is also something that does not just happen over night. It always begins with taking that first step of compromising and slowly letting that snowball into something worse.
However, here we see the Psalmist genuine cry to be restored back to God once again. God looks at the heart, His ultimate desire is for us to love and honour Him because He loves us more then anyone or anything else in this world. The temporary pleasures of this world only last but for a short time. God’s love for us is on going and never ceases. We can rest assured that even during times of dryness in our walk with God, He is always there working behind the scenes to bring us back to Him and to teach us to love and trust in Him more.
Remind yourself of the love of Christ that pursued you and went to great lengths to save you from eternal punishment. There is no sin to great that can ever separate us from the love of God
Can I stay here forever
Here with you?
Surrounded by Your mercy
Clothed in Your truth
Always, I’ll stay
Always here with You
Lyrics by: Starfield
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