We are fortunate that our God is a merciful and graceful God. The psalmist says it very clearly–Please restore us again! The children of Israel had a knack for forgetting that failure to follow God’s plan usually ended up in disaster for them. God would let them turn away, try to gently turn them back–but, then, when they refused; he let them experience life without his provision and care.
Then the nation would repent, his anger subside and he would bring them back. Now in this psalm, the psalmist cries out, we are back–please forgive and restore us. The blessing comes; in that, God usually did that very thing. God wanted Israel to experience the best. He told Solomon when the temple was opened that if his people would humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways and seek his face–the he would hear their prayers, restore them and heal their land.
We who follow him today should have the same hope as did the psalmist. We should seek God with all our hearts and follow him closely. When, however, we fall away and experience the pain of being away from God–we should stand, turn and run back to him, again. Then we can experience his grace and his power. We can walk free of the things that ensnare and entangle us. Like Israel, we can experience his love and forgiveness and share with others the grace he has shared with us.
God Bless You
You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.[b]
3 You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.
4 Restore us again, God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
Walking With God 