[:en]SCRIPTURE: PSALM 80
“Restore to us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved” (Psalm 89:3)
“Restore us, O God Almighty, make your face shine upon us, that we may be save” (Psalm 80:7)
“Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved” (Psalm 80:19)
“Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself” (Psalm 80:14)
“Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name” (Psalm 80:18)
Asaph pleaded 3 times to God to restore Israel and make his face shine upon them. The first time, he called on GOD. The second time, he called on GOD ALMIGHTY. And the third time, he called on LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. The people of Israel were suffering affliction. They were fed with the bread of tears. They were drinking tears by the bowlful. Enemies were laughing and mocking them. All these happened because they had rebelled against God.
Asaph described the nation of Israel as the vine. God delivered them our from Egypt and planted them like a luxurious vine to the land of Canaan. But the vine was not producing fruits. They were supposed to bear spiritual fruits and testify to the Gentile nations about the forever and living God. But the Israelites compromised and sinned. So, God disciplined them by cutting down His vine. He left his people and the glory of God had departed.
Asaph cried out to God to RETURN and come back to them. He asked Him to REVIVE them so that they can call upon His name. And He asked Him to RESTORE and save them.
If you want God to bless you, pray these 3 requests. Ask God to return, revive and restore you. Then bear fruits for the glory of God and for the enrichment of others.[:]