Can Hope Return

Psalm 80.3,7,19

The day of grace is over. Israel has crossed that final line with Jehovah. Our God is gracious, merciful, and longsuffering; however, he is no push over. As Asaph pens the 80^th he can see the Assyrian army on the horizon. “Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” He cries out to Israel’s shepherd.

Years of drunkenness, debauchery, and immorality has eaten into the national character. No longer is the nation seeking after the Lord. Now there is no integrity or principles, not even a common faith that in any way would awaken the people. Hosea, on the scene, is unveiling the events: “Harlotry, wine, and new wine, enslave the heart.” (Hosea 4:11).

Here they come, one by one the nations fall to Assyrian Tiglath-pileser. The gathering storm is on the horizon. King Hoshea proved to be as unwise politically as he was ungodly; he crossed the line. Jehovah has had His fill. Now Assyrian King Shalmaneser advanced closer to Israel and dealt with her disloyalty.

It was autumn of 722 b.c. Israel is demolished because of Assyria. No, because of sin! Hold up a minute. Didn’t the psalmist pray the scriptural prayer of Aaron from Numbers 6 not once but three times? “Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” Yes, he prayed for the grace of God. The problem is Israel had sinned away her day of grace. Hearts cold from a lifestyle of sin no one seeks after God.

If God dealt this way with His nation what hope do we have as Americans? We are sinning away our day of grace. We seek counsel with the unwise and ungodly. We follow the appetites of political correctness. We murder the innocent and promote the open annihilation of the unwanted through abortion. Must I go on?

“Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!”

Is there hope for us? Return and He will restore! He did for Israel – Hosea saw that too. “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for my anger has turned away from him…they shall be revived…” (Hosea 14:4-7).

“Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!”

"The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Always Enthusiastic,

Dr. Rusty Newman