Restore Us, O Lord
Every relationship has ups and downs. That is true of our relationship with the Lord, as individuals and as churches. When we drift from the Lord, there needs to be restoration of the relationship. The psalmist wrote about God's people needing this restoration.(Psalm 80:19) Let's consider what he said about how that would happen.
Restoration comes from the Lord, not simply from our efforts. Think of a married couple. If one of them is estranged from the other, that person can come back and express his or her desire for restoration. However, it is only when the other person, sees the sincerity of the request and responds that restoration begins to happen. One key is the facial expression of the one being approached. When that person's face lights up in loving acceptance, the restoration has started. It is the same way with God.
When God causes His face to shine upon us, we will be saved, we will be restored. Why? It is simply because He sees our hearts are repentant and seeking Him in love. That so pleases the Lord that His face shines with love for us and with desire to draw near. The question for us is this, "Are we willing to repent and to seek Him in love? Is it the desire of our hearts to make God smile, because of our fervent desire to be close to Him and obey Him?" If it is, we will see the Lord's face shine on us, and we will be restored.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 81-84.
Restoration comes from the Lord, not simply from our efforts. Think of a married couple. If one of them is estranged from the other, that person can come back and express his or her desire for restoration. However, it is only when the other person, sees the sincerity of the request and responds that restoration begins to happen. One key is the facial expression of the one being approached. When that person's face lights up in loving acceptance, the restoration has started. It is the same way with God.
When God causes His face to shine upon us, we will be saved, we will be restored. Why? It is simply because He sees our hearts are repentant and seeking Him in love. That so pleases the Lord that His face shines with love for us and with desire to draw near. The question for us is this, "Are we willing to repent and to seek Him in love? Is it the desire of our hearts to make God smile, because of our fervent desire to be close to Him and obey Him?" If it is, we will see the Lord's face shine on us, and we will be restored.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 81-84.