Radio Meditation for Monday

I've agreed to do some morning devotions on a local AM radio station. Here is one for next Monday.

Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
stir up your strength and come to help us.
Restore us, O God of hosts,
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

O LORD God of hosts,
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
You have made us the derision of our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.


Psalm 80 reminds us of God’s love in troubled times. In it, the People of Israel cry out to God in their distress. Can you hear their passion? Can you hear it when they ask God how long God will be angered, despite their prayers? Boldly, they complain to God: “You have fed us with the bread of tears; you have given us bowls of tears to drink.”

And yet, the whole of this cry for help is framed by a deep faith. It takes faith to give voice to the cry of our heart in prayer. Three times in the psalm—twice in the part I just read—we hear the following prayer: “Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.”

The Psalms come out of a particular time and place. In this one, ancient Israel finds itself under assault from nearby enemies. It is a prayer for deliverance from violence at the hands of predatory armies.

But the psalms are also the prayer of God’s People today—both Israel and the Church. They are God’s gift of prayer, which we can offer back to God. They are especially powerful when prayed out loud, slowly and with trust. Christians can hear every word in the Psalms as the prayer of Jesus. They are also Israel’s prayer to the God who set them free.

There are times in life, when God seems so far from us. Some of us are facing that right now. Perhaps we have lost our job or are worried about making ends meet. Maybe a loved one is oversees and in harm’s way. The future is always uncertain. Today, it seems more uncertain than ever. We are filled with worry. In such times, it can be hard to see the light of God’s face. Hope seems so far from us. Tears become our food and drink.

Even in such times, however, we know God is our strong shepherd—our redeemer—leading us like a flock. We know our prayers will be heard and answered. Even now, God is stirring up God’s power to help us. Even now, the living God is about to arise from the throne—the mercy seat—to answer our cry for help.

Restore us, O God of hosts, show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.