DAILY WORD

A cry for restoration implies that something has been lost. In the case of the people of Israel in Psalm 80, they have lost their sense of God’s protection and provision. The psalmist compares Israel to a vine, which the Lord has cared for and nurtured with great love and compassion. However, the people of God are experiencing suffering and isolation, perhaps from military defeat. This experience of suffering causes the people to question God’s protection and care; they have lost their sense of wholeness and security. And so the people cry out for God’s salvation and restoration – “Stir up your might and come to save us!”

How often have we felt like the people in Israel? How often have we felt that God has turned his back to our experience of suffering in the world? How often have we felt lost? In those times, we cry out with the psalmist for God’s salvation and restoration. We cry out for the redemption and reclamation of that which has been lost – our sense of wholeness, security, and acceptance. Restoration is the process by which we once again experience intimacy with God.

For the psalmist, restoration means that God’s face will shine upon his people. The image of God’s face shining on his people is one that conveys intimacy and blessing. In the book of Numbers, Aaron blesses the congregation and prays that the Lord’s face will shine upon his people, which would serve has a sign of God’s blessing and favor. When God turns his face toward us and his loves shines in our hearts, restoration happens!

Let us pray.
O Lord, restore us. Restore our sense of wholeness and holiness that has been lost and trampled upon by the harshness of the world. Restore to us the joy of your salvation. Let your face shine upon us that we may know your blessing and favor in our lives. Restore us, O God of hosts!

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