19. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we might be saved!        

(Psalm 80:19 (ESV)

To “pledge” oneself means more than to “exercise or put out a vague interest in something or someone”. The people of Israel pledge themselves to God – commit themselves in faithfulness and loyalty – if he will show his power and protection of them against their warring neighbours.

If the Lord will give such a demonstration of his care and strength, the response will be for Israel to renew their covenant, show true faithfulness, and not turn away (again).

The titles given to Jesus of; God’s Son and Son of Man are to demonstrate that in Jesus there is everything that Israel was called to be in relationship with God and as a witness to the Gentiles. They also point to God’s strength and care in Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection.

Jesus spoke of the ‘new covenant’ between God and his people. We might echo the cry of Israel at the Advent season as we reflect on God’s gift to the world – for those who will receive it. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we might be saved!        

 In faith we ask for God’s restoration, help, and blessing, God responds and this in turn creates more faith and faithfulness.

 Let us pray, in faith, that God’s greatness may be manifest in our lives, and around us, in order that others may see, give God the glory and be saved.

1. 17 “But let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for your self!
2. Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name.
3. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we might be saved!        

(Psalm 80:17-19 (ESV) 

²³ For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NIV)

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12 NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ⁷ You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  (Colossians 3:5-10 NIV)