Passage: Psalm 80
The Big Idea
Psalm 80 calls on the Shepherd of Israel to wake up and save. Three times the refrain grows stronger: “Restore us, O God… O God of hosts… O Lord God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” Israel is pictured as a vine God brought out of Egypt and planted, now broken down and trampled. The answer is the man of Your right hand, the Son of Man made strong for God. Jesus is the true Vine (John 15:1), and in Him we’re restored.
Reflections
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel… You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! (v. 1). You’re a good Shepherd. You know me, love me and lead me. You’re the source of all light, so shine forth. Forgive me and show me Your goodness.
Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up Your strength, and come and save us! (v. 2). Every one of the brothers needs Your salvation, by Your hand and Your strength.
Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved! (v. 3). If You just look on us, hearts will change. This prayer is according to Your will. Bring us into real, deep fellowship with You.
How long will You be angry against the prayer of Your people? (v. 4). I plead with You daily. I can’t begin to count my sins, but You know them all, and Jesus paid for them all.
You have fed them with the bread of tears (vv. 5-6). My heart breaks today. Reach out Your hand of mercy. I believe; help my unbelief. I’m called by Your name. Defend Your name, and don’t let the enemy think he can steal Your children.
Restore us, O God of hosts (v. 7). Pull us out of the miry clay. Your face, Jesus! Turn Your face toward me.
You have brought a vine out of Egypt (vv. 8-11). Jesus, You’re the true Vine. I abide in You. I pray, wait, trust and need. This is Your way, not mine: humility and faith. You prepared room for it, and caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land. You bring life and produce the fruit of the Spirit. You’ve changed the world. Change my family, too.
Why have You broken down her hedges, so that all who pass by pluck her fruit? (vv. 12-13). Sometimes it feels like I trusted You to protect the people I love, and the hedges came down anyway. Many influences have pulled them away. I’ve been part of the problem too. Forgive me and help by Your saving power.
Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts; look down from heaven and see, and visit this vine (v. 14). Send Your life. We need Your life and fruit, nothing else. Don’t look past me. Don’t stay silent. Visit me!
The vineyard which Your right hand has planted (vv. 15-16). You planted me, chose me, healed me and saved me. Save others the same way, by Your mighty power. I’ve been silent too long, but no longer. I’m learning my lesson. I can’t go on without Your blessing.
Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself (v. 17). Jesus, that’s You, the Son of Man at the Father’s right hand. You’re my all. My whole story is for Your glory. You’ve written it, so please complete it. I’m weak; rescue a weakling.
Then we will not turn back from You; revive us, and we will call upon Your name (v. 18). I guess I’m revived now, because I’m calling on You! I’ll keep my eyes on You.
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved! (v. 19). All I need is Your answer. Speak the Word. Create with it. Open hearts and bring them to You.
Grace Takeaway
Restoration doesn’t start with us fixing the vine. It starts when God turns His face toward us. In Jesus, the Man at His right hand and the true Vine, God’s face shines on us, and we are saved.
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