the focus of restoration

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Testimony. Of Asaph, a Psalm.
1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your might
and come to save us!

3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!

4 O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!

8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.
11 It sent out its branches to the sea
and its shoots to the River.
12 Why then have you broken down its walls,
so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13 The boar from the forest ravages it,
and all that move in the field feed on it.

14 Turn again, O God of hosts!
Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
15 the stock that your right hand planted,
and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.
16 They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;
may they perish at the rebuke of your face!
17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
18 Then we shall not turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call upon your name!

19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

- Psalm 80

This powerful Psalm focuses on the need for God’s people to be restored after several attacks from other nations.  The restoration is needed in order for the people to rejoice in their salvation.  19 verses, all aimed at a need for restoration.  I have a question for you today…do you need to be restored? 

In Acts 3, Peter preached a powerful sermon in Solomon’s portico.  One verse that jumps out to me is found in 3:20, when Peter says, “that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”  This verse really identifies the structure of Psalm 80.  The lament that the community cries out reveals the purpose of the plead; to receive joy in salvation.  Take a moment and read verse 3 in Psalm 80.  Do you see the purpose behind their restoration?  Perhaps it was a reminder of God’s saving grace? (Psalm 103).  Perhaps it was a gentle drawing of His beauty and glory? (1 John).  Now, go back to Acts 3 and look at the verses prior to verse 20.  Do you see how restoration focuses on the Gospel?

If you are having a rough week, a rough month…or even year; turn to God.  Rejoice in the Gospel; the good news of the Savior that took the Supreme wrath of the splendid Father for the purpose of giving us sweet restoration daily.  Realize that His sovereign reign draws us to answers to our many questions (Psalm 80 goes with questions I hear today…such as, “why does God do bad things to good people?).  Things happen, according to His purpose, and for His glory.  In Psalm 80 and Acts 3, we see that restoration comes out of the abundance of His grace.  Seek Him in times of desperation and praise Him for His divine favor.  All of us can see that favor daily restored in the empty tomb.

-from one who needs restoration daily.