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Scripture: Psalm
80
Focus Verse “Restore
us, O Lord Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” Ps.
80:19 (NIV)
This
psalm names Asaph as the author. In the ‘song’, the words of our focus verse
appear three times, in verses 3, 7, and 19. These words are a plea for God to
restore His people.
The
writer believes God has been angry at the nation Israel. The Lord has not
honored their prayers. The people have grieved the state of their country.
Neighboring nations have laughed at the people. Israel’s enemies mocked them.
Asaph
reminds the Lord that He brought the nation out of bondage in Egypt and allowed
them to remove other peoples from the land. At
the time of Asaph’s writing, God has thrown open the protective gates to the
nation and permitted anyone to pass through and partake of the fruits of
Israel.
The
writer pleads with God to return to them and to watch over them. When He
speaks, the people perish. Asaph refers to the Messiah in verse 17. He then
asks God to revive them and promises the people will call on Him.
Our 21st
Century world needs to pray for God to look down on us and guide us through
these messy times. Our nation needs to look to the Lord, call out His name, and
ask for His mercy. It is the only way we can be restored as a nation.