Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel,
You who lead Joseph like a flock;
You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Your power and come to save us!
O God, restore us and cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved. Psalm 80:1-3
Oh that God would shine His face upon us… that was the desire of Asaph as he wrote this song.
He knew the rich and unique history of God’s people and how God has often rescued them. As a shepherd hears the bleating of a sheep in trouble, God was well aware of the perils, sinfulness, and dangers that were threatening Israel.
Now the Psalmist cries out to the great Shepherd for restoration and salvation.
Oh how we need that today in America. We are a nation birthed with a very special heritage of seeking to worship God according to the Bible. God honored us for so many years. But, as of late, it seems we have turned our back to Him and suffered because of it.
How faithful am I in following Him? How can our country return to God and find restoration?
O God, my prayer today is that You would restore me, cause Your face to shine upon me, so that I will be saved.
