Today’s Reading:
Psalm 80:17-19
“Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou made strong for thyself. So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.” (vv. 17-19 AKJV)
The psalmist realised that the people of Israel have moved themselves away from the blessing of Mosaic Covenant through sin. His repeated plea brings to mind the blessings of Aaron (vv. 3, 7, 19. Num. 6:24-26). The man of thy right hand (v. 17) may be referring to God’s agent or instrument for the restoration of the vine/the son which in this case may be the nation of Israel, whom God calls His first born and separated (Ex. 4:22).
The hope of all believers is in the delivering presence of God, who tenderly shepherd us as His flock. But before restoration there is need for genuine turning away from sin. Repentance involves humbling ourselves and turning to God in order to receive His forgiveness. “But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness, and the house of Jacob shall possess their possession” (Obadiah 1:17). As we humbly turn to God, He helps to see our emptiness, realise our sin more clearly. It is when we clearly realise our sins and repeat the process of repentance that we can consistently remain in and feel the effect of a restored fellowship with God. “Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name” (v. 18).
It is when God by His unfailing mercy pass through our land, that we will be able to experience the effect of his redemptive power through the agent he had prepared, that the people will call upon His name and He will be restored and renewed. “Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved” (v. 19). Like the Israelites, the Lord has planted our nation, on a land flowing with milk and honey, all we need is deep, great and mighty deliverance, healing and God’s saving grace and mercy of God. After this, we patiently wait for the manifestation of our awesome God’s glory in our lives and upon our land.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Father, have mercy upon me, and my family; forgive our sin, especially sin leading to wicked evil power and idolatry, in Jesus’ name.
Awesome God, pass through every area of my life, and family, in Jesus’ name.
Father deliver me and my family from every evil work and preserve our souls for your heavenly kingdom; to You alone, belong all power, glory, honour and majesty, in Jesus’ name.
Father, empower every Christian home to be shining light to the world and vehicles of salvation, in Jesus’ name.
O Lord, grant unto us special wisdom to train our children in your glory, in Jesus’ name.
Merciful Father, the Lord of hosts, turn Your people again, and cause Your face to shine upon our land, and we shall be saved, in Jesus’ name.
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