November 27
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PSALM 80 RESTORE US AND LET YOUR FACE SHINE ON US
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
2Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your might and come to save us!
3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!
4 O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!
– Psalm 80:1-7
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Hear me out O my Lord; let your face shine on us
Without your light, we will be in total darkness
The enemy makes a mockery of our vulnerableness
They have turned our honor into shame and stole our peace.
How long will it be until you silence them from their plots?
How long before your anger subsides, O my Lord?
Will you let your people be continually without help?
Make your face shine upon us so we can have strength.
Restore us from the aftermath of the wickedness we received
Make us like new again so we can be unhindered to give you praise
Give us eyes to see and ears to hear what your Spirit prods us to do
Free us from our cravings and desires so we can focus only on you.
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REFLECTION
• Why do some people think that restoration of our souls can be done by us?
• Why is it a good practice for Christians to plead God for restoration?