"Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” Lent 4 Midweek 2022
Preaching and Teaching from St. John Ev. Lutheran Church (Sherman Center), Random Lake, Wisconsin · Rev. Christopher Gillespie
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Show Notes
The situation in Psalm 80 is pretty rough. The problem in this psalm is not private, so to speak; it has to do with afflictions brought upon the Church. Asaph, the Psalmist, describes in vivid detail the common experience of the Christian congregation. She is often given to be in contention with her neighbors. Those who hate her seek her ruin and destruction. Worse yet, it seems that the good planting of God is now being broken down by God Himself. It seems that she’s being plundered by the world and false faiths around her.
The remedy we ask against this plight is the revelation of God's glory, a theme that appears early in our psalm: “You who sit upon the Cherubim, reveal Yourself to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh; stir up Your might and come to save us." Then, three times comes the refrain that makes the same prayer: "Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” This is the desperate plea of the Church which is assaulted within and without and is doubting the perseverance God has promised.