Revival that comes from the heart
Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Look down from heaven and see our plight. Take care of this grapevine that you yourself have planted, this son you have raised for yourself. For we are chopped up and burned by our enemies. May they perish at the sight of your frown. Strengthen the man you love, the son of your choice. Then we will never abandon you again. Revive us so we can call on your name once more. Psalm 80:14-18
Psalms 80 provided the readers a picture of desolation when the people of God abandon their commitment to follow God. The Psalmist expressed the exasperation from relentless punishment the Israelites were receiving because of their willful disobedience to God. They were ravaged by their enemies as well as the wild animals. Because of the punishment they have been receiving from God, they prayed to Him asking Him to let them realize their erring ways so that they could be drawn back once again to God. This experience of the Israelites can serve a reminder to those who will place their trust in God. God does not want that they will just take advantage of the goodness of God and they will not follow through in their commitment to follow His will for their lives. What happened to the Israelites could serve as a great reminder to Christians that there are consequences to be paid. Once you made your decision to live your life for God, He does not want you to retract from your commitment. He expects that you will live your life abiding in Him so that you will produce fruit. Once you move away from His will for your life and you pursue your selfish desires, you are telling God that you know better than Him. The Israelites recognized the fact that they cannot get away from God and not experience consequence. The only way they could be restored with God is when they call on Him again and reestablish their commitment. Several times, the Psalmist pleads for God to once again be restored from the love of God. The only way that the people of God get restored is when they repent of their sin and return to the love of God. Do not let sin continue to dominate your life, especially when you know that sin produces death. “And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:15). In humility, repent of your sin, return to God and turn away from insisting on living your new life as if you are not a follower of God.
Blessings.
