INTRODUCTION
Is there anytime God is not in existence? The answer remains "There is no time He is not live and direct".
But sometimes, when God is silent, when He decides to keep quiet, it seems as if He is not in existence. Mary and Martha said to Jesus Christ, "if you were there, our brother would not die" (John 11:1-34).
When God is absent, when He is quiet, I mean, when God Almighty is silent, anything can happen. His silence is a sign that God Almighty does not give us His full current and protection.
Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, who guides Joseph like a flock; you who dwells between the cherubim, shine forth (v.1).
The Psalmist reminds, brings to God's memory how the Jews started. We have no surname except God Almighty.
You are our shepherd. Having you as our shepherd, we lacked nothing.
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up your strength and come to save us (v.2).
The Psalmist symbolizes Israel as a tree in the bush which God Himself planted and nurtured. The Psalmist reminded God Almighty that Israel remains the child of your right hand.
Restore us again, O God, and let your face shine upon us so that we may be saved (v.3).
O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people? (v.4)
When man starts progressing, he tend to go astray, far away from God Almighty. Then God will also be far from such a person (Isaiah 59:1-13). That is why God is calling man to return back to Him. If God will return to us, we must first return to Him.
We lack because we are very far from God Almighty. Instead of saying, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want".
(Psalm 23:1). The opposite is the case:
You feed them with the bread of tears; and give them tears to drink in great measure (v 5).
You make us a strife unto our neighbors: and our enemies laugh among themselves (v.6).
The Psalmist asked God Why have you blur off against us?
Restore us again, O God of hosts. Cause thy face to shine upon us so that we may be saved (v.7).
You brought a vine out of Egypt: You cast out the heathen nations and planted it (v.8).
You prepared room before it. You caused it to take deep root until it filled the land (v.9).
Oh! God Almighty, come back to us. Deal with us again as your own children. Don't keep quiet any longer, else we will all die like ants.
The hills were covered with its shadow. Its branches were like beautiful cedars (v.10).
Let your beauty come back us as your people. Let us shine once more Oh Lord God Almighty!
It sent out its branches unto the sea And its shoots unto the river (v.11).
Your Protection is no longer our portion. We have broken our tier with you. Our security becomes porous. Then You also broke your security against us. We are now ordinary prey to beasts and wild birds 🐦 🐦 🐦.
Why have you then broken down her protective walls So that all those which pass by do pluck her? (v.12)
The boar from the woods ravages it And wild beasts devour it (v.13).
We cannot survive this situation except you come back to us. We have already realized our problems and ready for amendment. Please Oh God Almighty! Come back to us once more.
Return we beseech thee O God of hosts Look down from heaven See this vineyard (v.14).
And visit this vine which thy right hand has planted And made strong for yourself (v 15).
We are finished in our distress. We have no other hope except on you. Without you, we are dead unto eternal damnation.
It is burned with fire It is cut down. They perish at thy rebuke (v.16).
Let your hand rest on man at your right hand. The son whom you made strong for yourself (v.17).
We promised, we will not backslide again for any reason. All the time we were without you, What? How far? We have learned our lessons.
So will not we go back from you Quicken us. We shall call upon Your name! (v.18).
Turn us again! Oh Lord God Almighty! Cause Thy face to shine upon Us! So shall we be saved! (v.19).
MAKE A HEART ❤️ FELT PRAYER NOW
Oh God Almighty! I come before you in absolute humility. I have sinned against heaven and earth before you. Please have mercy on me. Forgive me my sins. Don't count sin on me, rather pardon me all my transgressions. Give me the grace to live a righteous live daily on this evil world. Help me to make heaven at last.
I present this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, your only Son - Amen.