Read Psalm 80:1-7 and 17-19

Monday

Read Psalm 80:1-7 and 17-19

80 Listen to us, O Shepherd of Israel;
   hear us, leader of your flock.
Seated on your throne above the winged creatures,
2     reveal yourself to the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.
Show us your strength;
   come and save us!
3 Bring us back, O God!
   Show us your mercy, and we will be saved!
4 How much longer, Lord God Almighty,
   will you be angry with your people's prayers?
5 You have given us sorrow to eat,
   a large cup of tears to drink.
6 You let the surrounding nations fight over our land;
   our enemies insult us.
7 Bring us back, Almighty God!
   Show us your mercy, and we will be saved!

17 Preserve and protect the people you have chosen,
   the nation you made so strong.
18 We will never turn away from you again;
   keep us alive, and we will praise you.
19 Bring us back, Lord God Almighty.
   Show us your mercy, and we will be saved.

Think

As much as this Psalm focuses on the bad things that happen in the world around us.  There is a constantly positive note.  “Show us your mercy, and we will be saved.”  To be saved does not just mean that God swoops down and makes everything OK.  It means that God ‘brings us back’ - sometimes going back to God is difficult.  But with the help of God the Holy Spirit we will be saved.

Pray

Bring us back, O God!  Show us your mercy, and we will be saved.