Restoration and Renewal

                             “Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us,
                                   that we may be saved.”  (Psalm 80:3, 7, 19)

Many of the psalms were written as “church music.” They were sung or chanted during worship. Sometimes we read them and can see that they are probably antiphonal. Sometimes we read them and recognize the responses to be sung. The quote above was one of those responses.

Now in that psalm there are listed many of God’s great and mighty acts. There are also petitions for help. It is a prayer sung or chanted responsively.

This is not a prayer to God to do everything to save the people. It is a prayer for restoration and the resulting strength so that the people can once again serve God.

The fall has come! And our schedules are busy. And there are times when we ask for God to energize us. That’s what this psalm is about. (My challenge is for you to go back and read the entire psalm and meditate on it.)

Now I have it on good authority that things will slow down here at the church “after Easter.” In the meantime, I need to find some time each week for renewal and regeneration. You probably do too.

So, in the weeks and months to come, let’s agree to find time for restoration and renewal. And then we can take part in as many of the activities here at the church and in our homes and community as we are able.

                                                                                Pastor Nancy