Psalm 80:3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
Today’s verse comes from a Psalm written by Asaph during a period of military defeat and distress for the nation of Israel. It is a heartfelt plea for spiritual revival and divine rescue. Though it was written to encourage the Israelites and lead them to seeking God, it can also give us encouragement today.
In Psalm 80:3 we see desperation as they plea for divine restoration. It is the main chorus of the psalm and repeats as a refrain throughout the entirety of it. The purpose of the psalm was to anchor the community’s cry for help during a period of national devastation. Israel as a nation was feeling forsaken and defeated by enemy nations and were desperate for God to intervene.
The Hebrew words for “restore us” translate as “turn us around.” Asaph recognized and acknowledged that Israel had once more strayed from God’s intended path and purpose. He knew that salvation and restoration only came from divine intervention. They needed to reverse course and truly repent of their sins. And their plea was for God to bring His people back to Himself. They needed to be returned to a place of spiritual intimacy and restoration which would help them recover from not only the hardships they faced from enemies, but also spiritually from their backsliding.
We are no different today. We live in a world that has gone astray, far from the path God had intended for us. We need spiritual restoration and revival. This plea can be made our own. We need to reverse direction, turn to Him, and let His restoration and renewal wash over us.
Whether you are in a good place with God or in a place where you are struggling and need to reverse direction, seek Him and His will. Ask Him to renew you. Beg Him to rain His grace, mercy, and restoration down upon you. He is waiting for you to seek Him. Like the father of the prodigal, He waits and watches, ready to run and embrace you and restore you to the glory He intended you to have. It’s time to come home.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the renewal You bring to our lives when we turn from our sins and return to Your ways. Guide me back to You and let my life bring You glory. Amen
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