RESTORE US, O GOD

MONDAY 14

“Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!”
Psalms 80:3 (NKJV)

READ: Psalm 80:1–19; Deuteronomy 3:23–28

In the verses 3, 7, 14 and 19 of this Psalm 80, the words restore and return were used repeatedly, calling and pleading that God should have mercy and return to the Israelites.

The illustration in the Psalm says Israel was a vine brought out of Egypt; how God cleared up other nations to make
room for the Israelites. The Israelites grew and became mighty but their God was angry with them and allowed them to be run over (Psalm 80:4–6).

READ: Psalm 80:8–13

Some do believe that God does not punish, that whatever punishment or discipline that should have been meted out to whoever, a believer, did wrong has been placed on Christ Jesus thus God does not chastise again. There are many erroneous teachings that are being taught and peddled in this contemporary time. These teachings are not actually found in the Bible. Most of such teachings are meant to deceive the naives or simpletons, simple minded believers (Proverbs 1:22). There are no bases for such teachings in the Bible but it finds a place in the mind of those who want to hear what they want to—those with itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3,4).

When a believer has done wrong, offended God, such should supplicate and plead, asking for mercy and forgiveness. Some even said, God is your Father as a believer in Christ, you do not need to beg for anything. Before you could receive anything from your earthly father, Would you need to plead before you could receive from Him? Of course, Not, they said.

God is a Father to whoever is reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19). However, awe and respect and honour are needed to relate with Him. No one goes to God arrogantly and receive anything from Him. Pleadings and supplications are needed for you to get His favour and mercy again if you erred or misbehaved.

NOTE In some cases the simple repentance prayer may not be enough and satisfactory to God (1 John 1:9).

This usually occurs when the person who offended God is a mature believer who supposed to know better because
to whom much is given, much would be required (Luke 12:48). The supplication may have to be continuous until God’s anger is spent (2 Samuel 2:13–19; Psalm 51:1–19).

What could make God’s chastisement or discipline or punishment prolonged is when a genuine remorse is not found or seen in the person who did wrong (Jeremiah 7:16–20). Another thing that could perpetuate or prolong the punishment or discipline of a believer is when the change expected by God from the believer in question has not been seen (Jeremiah 11:11–14; 14:10,11; Amos 4:6–11).

The best approach when you find yourself guilty of any wrong against God is pleading and supplication, asking
for God’s mercy and forgiveness. Some in the name of teaching faith have erroneously taught that you do not need to beg God because He is your Father.

At times, you might be on supplication for days or weeks that the full restoration of what is lost as a result of the wrong you did could be seen. When your relationship with God gets to an advance level, you might even plead
and He refuses to change His mind on the decision He had made on the matter—He may not reverse the discipline He has meted out (Deuteronomy 3:23–28).

When Moses and Aaron missed it in the matter of the water of Meribah in the provocation; when he supposed to speak to the rock but struck the rock contrary to the instruction given to him by God. As a result God said he, Moses, will not enter the promised land, Canaan land
(Numbers 23:14). Moses pleaded in the last moments of his life on earth but God declined, He said if he, Moses, wanted to have a glimpse of the land, he should climb a mountain and watch it from there (Numbers 23:14; 27:12–14; Deuteronomy 3:23–28).

Now, in such a case, a casual pleading or supplication would not grant forgiveness from God. Your level in God at times determines the severity of His discipline or chastisement when you missed it. God should be reverenced and be treated with awe. Fear and trembling should be part of your life in your relationship and fellowship with God, if you are thoroughly broken and if you have truly experienced God (Psalm 34:18; Psalm 51:17). God is to be feared and trembled before (Isaiah 66:2).

Peace.

Reflect:
• Is there something you owe God an honest apology for?
• Have you drifted, and are you willing to admit that you need to be restored?

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