Psalm 79-80–We really Made a Mess of Things

The phrase people often use is–“Stop Blaming God!” So many of the trials we face are directly in response to our own actions. The psalmist in Psalm 79 and in Psalm 80–recounts the simple truth that God set Israel up in a beautiful place, safe, prosperous and full of hope. Israel’s sin and independence from God, ultimately cost them their land, their lives and their freedom.

The Psalmist then does what any child would–He apologizes, and he asks God to intervene and clean up the mess.  The beauty is that as the psalmist points out–it is still God’s plan, and he alone can fix what they destroyed.  What is more, the psalmist realized that his best hope of salvation and restoration is still, and always God!

Our culture is similarly situated. We, as a nation have abandoned a great legacy of faith and have inserted our selfish need to control, and prove that we are self-sufficient. We have made a major mess of things. If we would simply admit that it is our choices that have caused the mess, and only God’s intervention can turn it around–then, perhaps we will turn from our wicked ways, seek his face and pray for forgiveness and restoration.  The psalmist did not hesitate–neither should we.  Revival always starts with the prayers of those who remember that it is God that saves us, and he is our only hope!

God Bless You

You cleared the ground for us,
    and we took root and filled the land.
10 Our shade covered the mountains;
    our branches covered the mighty cedars.
11 We spread our branches west to the Mediterranean Sea;
    our shoots spread east to the Euphrates River.[b]
12 But now, why have you broken down our walls
    so that all who pass by may steal our fruit?
13 The wild boar from the forest devours it,
    and the wild animals feed on it.

14 Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven’s Armies.
    Look down from heaven and see our plight.
Take care of this grapevine
15     that you yourself have planted,
    this son you have raised for yourself.
16 For we are chopped up and burned by our enemies.
    May they perish at the sight of your frown.
17 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.