Psalm 80:1-7 This Psalm is the appointed psalm for this coming
Sunday. Verse 7 is the key verse, “Restore us and we shall be saved.”
The critical question of "how long" (verse 4) is a key to understanding the situation
behind Psalm 80. It is not clear that God is angry at the people's prayers. The
verb translated "be angry"
literally means "to smoke."
"Anger" is sometimes the
subject of this verb (as in Psalm 74:1b), but the expression here is unusual.
An alternative translation might read, "how long will you be angry during your people's prayers?"
The point seems to be that the people's prayers do not
help their situation. Hence, Psalm 80:1-7 ultimately helps the church prepare
for the coming of Christ by reminding believers that salvation depends
completely on the Father’s gift of His own Son - Christ. Although we come to God believing God will
hear and answer, not even our prayers can bring God's favor. That is the Father's
gift.[1]
The Father could not save what he did not make. To
prove His love for you He sent Jesus who became human to redeem this human
world.
Jesus who as a full human; has the capacity to feel
the hurts of friends. He shares the sorrow of Martha. He weeps with Mary over
Lazarus’ death. He expresses His love for his friends. Jesus did not really
need to cry. He knew what he was going to do in the raising of Lazarus. Yet,
human as He was, He was caught up in the situation. He identified with His
friends.
When we are ill, Christ’s healing reveals His glory.
When we are dead, Christ’s raising us, like Lazarus, all for the glory of God.
In the resurrection, the glory of God’s power is manifest. This offers hope to
the afflicted, for they are assured of the Lord’s help.
The creative power of God is found in his vast
creation. Luther sums it all in his explanation to the First Article of the
Apostles’ Creed; the very words we used to confess our faith just
yesterday. Christian, what do you
believe?
“I believe that
God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes,
ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of
them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife
and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me
with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all
danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of
fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For
all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.
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