April 28, 2017

RE: BE KIND, REWIND & REMIND

Psalm 80

Cody Bateman
Friday's Devo

April 28, 2017

Friday's Devo

April 28, 2017

Central Truth

We all need to be reminded of the restoration we receive through trusting and obeying God's Word.

Key Verse | Psalm 80:3, 7

Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!
. . . .
Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!
. . . .
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved!
(Psalm 80: 3, 7, & 19)

Psalm 80

Restore Us, O God

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Testimony. Of Asaph, a Psalm.

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, 1 80:3 Or Turn us again; also verses 7, 19 O God;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved!

O LORD God of hosts,
    how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears
    and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
    and our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved!

You brought a vine out of Egypt;
    you drove out the nations and planted it.
You cleared the ground for it;
    it took deep root and filled the land.
10  The mountains were covered with its shade,
    the mighty cedars with its branches.
11  It sent out its branches to the sea
    and its shoots to the River. 2 80:11 That is, the Euphrates
12  Why then have you broken down its walls,
    so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13  The boar from the forest ravages it,
    and all that move in the field feed on it.

14  Turn again, O God of hosts!
    Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
15      the stock that your right hand planted,
    and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.
16  They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;
    may they perish at the rebuke of your face!
17  But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
    the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
18  Then we shall not turn back from you;
    give us life, and we will call upon your name!

19  Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
    Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Footnotes

[1] 80:3 Or Turn us again; also verses 7, 19
[2] 80:11 That is, the Euphrates

Dive Deeper | Psalm 80

In the Bible we see “re” words all of the time: renew, redeem, refresh, repent, return, refine, etc. Even here at Watermark Community Church, we have several ministry names that use this prefix: re|engage, re:generation, ReCharge, Reclaim. It's used to remind, reassure, and reinforce what is important and necessary.

When I was very young, I was forced to learn and recite many Bible verses. I was consistently reminded of what was true and that God loved me so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for my sins. The older I got, the less I reviewed Scripture or spent time reading the Bible. I could no longer recall many verses, and I didn’t see a need for them. I began to rebel and look toward other things (like pornography, partying, and a need to be seen as cool or funny) to bring me life. I seldom read God’s Word or remembered how much God loved me. I consistently found myself recycling through heartbreak, hangovers, and unmet desires.

It wasn’t until I had a sobering encounter with law enforcement that I realized how desperately I needed God’s grace. A friend invited me to The Porch (Watermark's ministry to young adults), and I heard good news that was refreshing (Romans 6:23). It was a message of reconciliation that rekindled the fire that had started when I was young. I repented and surrounded myself with those who had been regenerated (Hebrews 10:23-25). My desires changed, and I had a new reason to memorize Scripture (2 Peter 1:3-8). God repaired the damage I had caused and now reaffirms my decision every day as I seek His will and His face (2 Chronicles 7:14). There are times when I want to relapse, but God is faithful and always provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13).

“Restore us, O God! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!” was important enough that the psalmist repeated it three times in this psalm. The same message is important for me to reaffirm every day. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

Discussion Questions

1. How many "re" words can you think of that describe God? 

2. How often do you remind yourself of God's truth and love?

3. How often do you remind others of God's truth and love?