Psalm 80 – Methodist Life

Today is Friday, Dec. 16, the twentieth day in the Advent season.

Morning

Praise and Thanksgiving.

Let’s begin our prayers with Psalm 80.

Let’s also pray these words:

“Savior Like a Shepherd lead us! We give thanks for the gift of eternal life through the cross. We long for the promised life to come, a life we could experience even before our own deaths, if only we see you coming on the clouds. Lead us through the Holy Spirit now. Lead us visibly once again, ruling over all nations and peoples. Amen.”

What other words of thanks and praise might we lift up? When did we last count our blessings?

Confession. Let’s think about confession a little differently today. Imagine the perfect friend, the one you can tell anything without fearing rejection or reprisal. At worst, as you disclose your sins, your friend would say, “Don’t hurt yourself in such ways anymore.” Now go to God seeking such a relationship, trusting that understanding, forgiveness and healing will be offered.

Petitions. Using our “outside in” pattern, let’s ask God to intervene in global matters, in national needs, in our communities, schools and workplaces, in our churches and homes, and in our personal lives. Who are the specific people needing prayer?

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:18-22. Again, we might want to take a little time to read before and after today’s verses, gaining some context as we prayerfully consider what God promised King David.

Silence.

Noon

Let’s continue to pray this prayer together daily:

“Lord, we have entered a season of expectation. We remember the Israelites’ past desire for a savior to arrive, and we mirror what they felt as we long now for the return of Jesus Christ. Come Lord Jesus, come! We pray this with some trepidation, knowing we never feel completely ready for such a day, and that loved ones around us may not be ready. And yet we continue to pray, Come Lord Jesus, come! We trust that your grace at your return will so overwhelm sin and death that all will be set right. As we pray for your full arrival, teach us how to make ourselves ready, living as watchful people. Amen.”

Night

At a minimum, let’s spend some significant time in a quiet, reflective state before retiring for the night. Embrace the day’s spiritual victories and release the failures.

Remember how important controlled breathing can be as we settle ourselves into our relationship with God. He breathed into us the breath of life; the Spirit came as wind and a life-altering fire.

Sleep well, knowing the promises made to David are fulfilled for us, too.

Psalm 80:1-3 (NRSV)

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
    you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
    before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
    and come to save us!

Restore us, O God;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

By Chuck Griffin

What we now call the Old Testament is full of oscillation, the relationship between God and his chosen people moving in and out of harmony.

God’s abundant love and astonishing holiness never change, of course. It is people, then and now, who draw near to God in works of mercy and piety or run away from God as they sin. Sometimes we run so far that God seems to have slumbered or even poured out wrath.

For the fallen—and we all have been among the fallen—that plea, “Restore us, O God,” is an excellent starting point. Of course, we cannot say “restore us” as we continue to run away. We have to at least turn toward God, like the prodigal son climbing out of the pig sty and taking his first step on the walk home. We have to repent.

While sin deeply offends God’s holiness, God’s love keeps our creator alert to our return. Through his chosen people, he has even made the return easy, ready to embrace us with outstretched arms. He came among us while we were deep in sin, living among us and ultimately paying for those sins on the cross.

“Stir up your might, and come to save us!” the people prayed in Psalm 80. And God did, in ways with far greater global impact than they likely imagined.

Can we lift up the same cry, in our own lives and on behalf of our own people, whomever they may be?

Lord, let us see a turning toward you, moving us into a time when your grace abundantly flows, bringing healing and salvation to all. Amen.

Tag: Psalm 80

Expect Christ: Day 20

Restore Us, O God