Refined by Fire
Psalms 80:1–7
“Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken Your might; come and save us. Restore us, O God; make Your face shine on us, that we may be saved. How long, LORD God Almighty, will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears; You have made them drink tears by the bowlful. You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us. Restore us, God Almighty; make Your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psa 23:1). Our LORD Jesus Christ is the good shepherd, He said so Himself, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me—just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep (John 10:11–15).” Indeed He has laid His life for us His own. Let us look to Him anew in these challenging times and wait on Him patiently as He purifies us. The Living Life writer compares us to Asaph, that “we can seek God when we see the church today threatened by the powers of darkness, which try to bring chaos, confusion, and destruction to His people. If we are alert and aware of our vulnerabilities and pray earnestly to God to awaken His might, we can be confident that the great Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep is able to protect, save, and restore His people.” Arise O God and protect Your people who are called by Your mighty name, Christ, our LORD, we seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, hear from heaven, and forgive our sin and heal our world (~II Chron 7:14)! Living Life continues with good advice, “God may be delaying His answer because His people have tolerated sin. God is more interested in changing our hearts than simply answering requests because He loves us and wants us to walk the path that leads to life. As God molds and shapes us, we shall be as gold refined by fire. God’s ultimate goal is not mere deliverance but a complete and genuine restoration of the relationship between His people and Himself. When we feel impatient in this refining process, we should check our hearts and remember that God is always working for our good.” It ends in a beautiful prayer for deliverance which ties neatly with my thoughts from yesterday, “Father, thank You that Jesus took the punishment for my sins. Please continue to save and restore Your people. May even the enemies of the faith encounter the powerful love of Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.” Friends, the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace (Num 6:25–26) today, this week—a peace that transcends comprehension (Phi 4:7).
“Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken Your might; come and save us. Restore us, O God; make Your face shine on us, that we may be saved. How long, LORD God Almighty, will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears; You have made them drink tears by the bowlful. You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us. Restore us, God Almighty; make Your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psa 23:1). Our LORD Jesus Christ is the good shepherd, He said so Himself, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me—just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep (John 10:11–15).” Indeed He has laid His life for us His own. Let us look to Him anew in these challenging times and wait on Him patiently as He purifies us. The Living Life writer compares us to Asaph, that “we can seek God when we see the church today threatened by the powers of darkness, which try to bring chaos, confusion, and destruction to His people. If we are alert and aware of our vulnerabilities and pray earnestly to God to awaken His might, we can be confident that the great Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep is able to protect, save, and restore His people.” Arise O God and protect Your people who are called by Your mighty name, Christ, our LORD, we seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, hear from heaven, and forgive our sin and heal our world (~II Chron 7:14)! Living Life continues with good advice, “God may be delaying His answer because His people have tolerated sin. God is more interested in changing our hearts than simply answering requests because He loves us and wants us to walk the path that leads to life. As God molds and shapes us, we shall be as gold refined by fire. God’s ultimate goal is not mere deliverance but a complete and genuine restoration of the relationship between His people and Himself. When we feel impatient in this refining process, we should check our hearts and remember that God is always working for our good.” It ends in a beautiful prayer for deliverance which ties neatly with my thoughts from yesterday, “Father, thank You that Jesus took the punishment for my sins. Please continue to save and restore Your people. May even the enemies of the faith encounter the powerful love of Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.” Friends, the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace (Num 6:25–26) today, this week—a peace that transcends comprehension (Phi 4:7).
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