Don’t we love it when we get a bright, shining smile from someone, especially if it is from someone we love? A bright smile can light up the room and warm the heart, just like a ray of sunshine. The look on one’s face can indicate so much. Sometimes children will observe the look of their father’s face when he comes home from work to see what kind of mood he is in. Is it safe to ask him a favor, or should I run and hide in my room? The look on his face can determine which to do. If his look is scowling, then run, but if it is shining and happy, all is okay. How about the look on the teacher’s face when she’s passing out the grades? If she gives you a shining smile, then you know all is good. A young man in love, hopes for a shining look of love and acceptance from the girl across the room he has set his heart on. Asaph, the writer of today’s psalm, was praying for such a look from God.
Times were very difficult for the nation of Israel, mainly because so many of the people continued to keep straying from God, disobeying His laws, and worshipping the false gods of the surrounding nations. Asaph was praying that the people and his fallen kingdom would be restored. They had suffered afflictions and destruction, and he was praying for a spiritual revival in the hearts of the people, and for their restoration. Asaph knew that God was the only hope for their salvation and restoration. Right now God was certainly not smiling on His people, but Asaph was praying that would change.
This is not something that was unique to the people of Israel some 2,700+ years ago. This is a condition of so many around the world today. There are times we all need to be restored to God. This restoration calls for prayer, confession, and repentance. Before there can be any restoration there must be repentance and a turning away from sin. We must be humble, and ask God for His forgiveness. This was the prayer that Asaph was making, not only in his own behalf, but also for the people of his country.
Verses 3, 7, and 19 are similar to each other. Each is a plea to God for His intervention. Each a plea that He would turn a shining and smiling face upon His people, and they would be forgiven, restored, and saved. With each one of these pleas, though, Asaph shows an increase in urgency to God. In verse 3, he addresses his prayer to “God”. Then in verse 7, Asaph specifies one of God’s attributes, and addresses his prayer to “God of hosts”. The word “host” refers to “armies”. He is praying to the God of armies, particularly the God of angel armies, which would be mightier than any earthly army. Asaph prays that the God of angel armies would come, show His smiling face upon the people, and bring deliverance and restoration.
Then, in one more heartfelt plea, Asaph prays the same prayer in verse 19, only with more increased urgency. This time he cries out to God, using His proper Name. In the King James, or New King James version, when the word LORD is used, in all capital letters, it is referring to God’s proper Name, of YHWH. Please, Lord God Yahweh, please, give a smile of love and forgiveness to Your people! Forgive us! Revive us! Restore us! Help us!
That was Asaph’s prayer in this psalm, and can be our prayer, as well. I know that I wish and pray that God will always be showing me is shining and smiling face. Each of us throughout the world needs that. Our world desperately needs a revival, and for all mankind to turn back to Him in prayer, confession and restoration. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!
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