Today’s scripture is from Psalm 80:1-7 and 17-19. The Israelites are pleading with God, their great Shepherd, to come and rescue them.

Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel,
    you who lead Joseph’s descendants like a flock.
O God, enthroned above the cherubim,
    display your radiant glory
²     to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.
Show us your mighty power.
    Come to rescue us!

Just as the Israelites called upon God, the Shepherd of Israel, to show himself and display his radiant glory, we too can call upon our good shepherd to rescue us. John 10:10 and 14 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.’ ““I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,”

³ Turn us again to yourself, O God.
    Make your face shine down upon us.
    Only then will we be saved.
⁴ O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies,
    how long will you be angry with our prayers?
⁵ You have fed us with sorrow
    and made us drink tears by the bucketful.
⁶ You have made us the scorn of neighboring nations.
    Our enemies treat us as a joke. 7 Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s Armies.
    Make your face shine down upon us.
    Only then will we be saved.

The Israelites were feeling desperate and despairing. They were enduring scorn from their neighbors and enemies. They were feeling sorry for themselves and called upon the only one, Almighty God, the God of Heaven’s Armies who is greater than all, to look with favor upon them and restore them. The phrase “make your face shine upon us” is used 3 times in this short psalm. It is a plea for God’s favor and needed restoration.

Strengthen the man you love,
    the son of your choice.
¹⁸ Then we will never abandon you again.
    Revive us so we can call on your name once more. ¹⁹ Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.
    Make your face shine down upon us.
    Only then will we be saved.

The Israelites were seeking strengthening, revival, God’s favor and salvation. In return they are promising to not abandon their God again. After centuries of struggle with idolatry, upon retuning from their exile in Babylon they never again worshipped idols.

What are you seeking from God this holiday season? What type of rescue do you need? First and foremost, do you know Jesus as your savior? If you do then you are already rescued for eternity and forgiven. If not call upon Jesus and confess your sins to receive forgiveness and acceptance into His forever family. Life is complex and there are many struggles that we face that seem overwhelming. The Israelites knew this and pleaded with God to show them j His favor. Where do you need mercy and grace? Hebrews 4:16 “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” God is accessible because of our faith in Jesus and He is willing and able to help. Pray that Jesus will restore you this season and fill you with the hope of His restoration.

Linda