RESTORE - RENEW

 

Write From My Heart

October 15, 2021

RESTORE   bring back to a normal state, custom, health, strength, etc.

RENEW  make fresh or strong again

Lamentations 5:1-22 {excerpts}  Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us; look, and see our disgrace. … Our fathers sinned and are no more, and we bear their punishment. … Joy is gone from our hearts: our dancing has turned to mourning. The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned! … Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.

            Most scholars agree Lamentations was authored by the prophet Jeremiah. It is a lament, or dirge poem, written to express the despair of the people of Judah because of their loss of land, city, and temple. I think it is worth noting that blame was not only placed upon prior generations, but also current generations for failure to change. “Woe to us, for we have sinned!” And perhaps the most devastating words are, “unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.” Our God is truly a loving and merciful God but at what point will our continued and persistent disobedience cause the Lord’s wrath beyond measure?

            Today, we see our nation that once proudly proclaimed “In God We Trust” and “One nation, under God” slowly eroding away. Perhaps the erosion began with prior generations, but now it is in our hands. Now it is incumbent upon us to make changes. What we so desperately need is not a renewal to the good ole days…but a renewal of our heart to follow and serve the Lord, Jesus Christ, and Him alone!

Psalm 51:10  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:12  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 80: (v. 3, 7, 19) Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.