SOAP 10/30/2015; Psalm 80:19

Today's reading: Job 21; Mark 5, 6*

S) "¹⁹ O Lord God of hosts, restore us;
Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved."

Psalm 80:19 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 80

O) O God, restore us;
O God of hosts, restore us;
O Lord God of hosts, restore us;
These lines are the beginnings of vv. 3, 7, and 19. The second half of the lines are all identical, that they would be saved, if only He would cause His face to shine upon them. The verse above is the final verse of the Psalm. So, throughout the prose there is a build up of urgency, even in the repeated addressing of God. He is the only hope of His people. He is God, holy and righteous. He is God of hosts, mighty and sovereign. He is the Lord God, personal and loving. The imploring did not relent. The pursuit gained speed. The prayer ended on the final hope, that the holy, mighty, loving God would turn to them with salvation.

A) First, there are the truths about God's character, that I must continue to affirm. This is central to fearing the LORD, remaining humble, and living a life of worship. God is holy and righteous, the ultimate and perfect Judge, and He is Creator. The God of hosts is mighty, powerful, and sovereign; able to do as He pleases. He gives and takes according to His good plan. He establishes and destroys nations. He directs kings and is master of all His creation. The LORD God has a name, it is Jehovah. He is personal, loving, and relational. He sought me. He knows my name, the length of my days. He knows my wife and children, and our destinies. He knows every hair on my head, and cares about the things that concern me, because Yahweh is my Father God. When I remember all of these complexities of the LORD my God, His character that He revealed throughout history, and indelibly translated through the Holy Bible, then I will remember how important it is that He caused His face to shine upon me. In Christ Jesus, I have favor with the LORD God of hosts. He already has restored me through Christ Jesus. He already has saved me. Still, I must continue to seek Him, to find Him, so that I am aware of His face, which shines upon me, when I am found in Christ.

P) Father, LORD God of hosts, ancient, infinite, and uncreated You are. LORD God of hosts, mighty, powerful, and sovereign You are. LORD God of hosts, intimate, compassionate, and loving You are. There are times when my needs are pressing me. There are times when the pressures of this world mount, and my breaking point feels close, and the urgency to find You threatens to drive me mad. And then there are times like now. Right now, I am in a calm plain. I am in a peaceful pasture. You are still my Shepherd, regardless of whether I am running to find Your presence, or at rest at Your feet. I thank You for times of peace, but I pray that I remember who You are, deeply remember, when those struggles come. I have been in those storms, I know the trial that presents itself against me, when hard times come. You are so majestic and incomprehensible, but all at once familiar and comforting. In Your holiness, I want to know You more, and better. Open my eyes and ears, to know Your will, to follow You closely. In easy times and hard times, I pray that I am focused on You, and on who You are, and that I find Your face is shining on me all of my days. Let Your will prevail above all else. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.