Psalm 80

 Psalm 80   Three times, Asaph, the writer of this psalm, utters this prayer:

 "O God, restore us! And cause Thy face to shine upon us, and we will be saved"  It is the plea of his heart and the theme of his song. It is his desire and his most urgent need! It is the heart need of every human being who has ever lived and who will ever be born... 

Verses 1-2  Asaph addresses his prayer to the "Shepherd of Israel"  Only God, the God Of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.. the God of "Joseph".. of" Ephraim and Benjamin and Manassah"; the God who is "enthroned above the cherubim".. can save.   ".. stir up Thy power", the writer asks.  Have we  the faith to ask this way?

In verses 5-16 Asaph uses the image of a vine to describe Israel.  A vine that God had uprooted from Egypt and planted in the promised land. A vine that "took deep root" and "filled the land". But, a vine that had been plundered by beasts.. burned with fire.. and finally cut down.  "O God of hosts, " the writer pleads, "turn again now, we beseech Thee; look down from heaven and see, and take care of this vine." (v14)

The psalmist's final request is this.. " Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, upon the son of man whom Thou didst make strong for Thyself. Then we will not turn back from Thee; Revive us, and we will call upon Thy name."  We have the great privilege to know that this prayer was answered in a way the psalmist could not have imagined.. in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of man and the Son of God.  Hallelujah!  He is the Savior!

Father in heaven, we come before You to proclaim the greatness of Your holiness, of Your glory, and of Your amazing grace. Thank You for answering our prayers for salvation.. for restoration.. for the blessedness of Your face that "shines upon us".. bringing us Light.  Thank You for Jesus, the True vine and for grafting us on this vine as "branches".. for bringing forth the fruit of Your Spirit, to the glory of Your holy Name.  We ask that You truly "stir up Your power" once again.. in Israel, to restore them to Yourself... and in us, Your people, the sheep of Your pasture.  May the Name of Jesus be proclaimed in all the earth, that more men and women and children will call upon His name and be saved.  We ask this in faith, believing that all things are possible for You!  Be glorified in Your people today, Lord God, as we go out in Jesus' name. Amen.