Today’s Reading:
Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19.
“Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved”
(Psalms 80:7, NIV)
God’s displeasure was against them. God was angry, and he dreads that more than anything, (v. 4). It was great anger. He apprehended that God was angry against the prayer of his people, not only that He was angry notwithstanding their prayers, by which they hoped to turn away his wrath from them, but that He was angry with their prayers, though they were his people that prayed. That God should be angry at the sins of his people and the prayers of his enemies is not strange, but that He should be angry at the prayers of his people is strange indeed. He not only delayed answering them (that He often does in love) but He was displeased with them. When God is displeased with His people, we must expect to see them in tears and their enemies in triumph. “Turn us again, O God! (v. 3). Turn us again, O God of host! (v. 7) And then cause thy face to shine and we shall be saved.” No salvation but from God’s Favour: “Cause thy face to shine, let us have thy love and the light of thy countenance, and then we shall be saved.” No attaining favour with God unless we are converted to Him. We must turn again to God from the world and the flesh, and then He will cause His face to shine upon us.
The people of Israel are charged with the sins of covetousness and oppression, fraudulent and violent practices, and dealing barbarously, even with women and children, and other harmless people. They were also guilty of opposing God’s prophets silencing them, and delighting in false prophets (Micah 2:1-13). They eagerly desire that which is not their own that is the root of bitterness, the root of all evil. They covet fields and houses, as Ahab did Naboth’s vineyard. This is called working evil! They are working it in their heads, in their families, and are as intent upon it, and are as confident of their success. We should know that it is just with God that those who have dealt fraudulently and violently with others should themselves be dealt fraudulently and violently with.
REBECCA ODUNAYO AYOBAMI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: Father, thank you for Jesus Christ. Forgive my sins, take control of my heart and lead me in your righteous path by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord. If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world. Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
O Lord, every worker of iniquity against my soul, let their plans be thwarted, in Jesus' name.
All the treasure of my offspring that were kept in the treasure house of wicked men, O Lord restore them, in Jesus' name.
Almighty Father, let the word of life be restored in Your Church again, in Jesus' name.
All the lost glory in my family be restored in Jesus' Name.
Almighty God, all the treasures of this nation that had been stolen, Lord restore them.
תגובות