Advent 4: Restore us, O God!

This morning we will declare with the Psalmist
Restore us, O God; let your face shine that we might be saved!

Three times we say it with the second time adding "God of hosts" and the third time "LORD God of hosts". Israel must be under great hardship and oppression that they call out to God in increasing pronouncements of his power and might and authority. God = creator and ruler of the universe with moral authority; God of hosts = commander of the armies of heaven (angels and archangels and all the company of heaven); LORD God of hosts = the I AM who IS All-mighty, All-powerful, All-knowing, All-present, simply ALL. You can't call on more.

Indeed Israel was in trouble ... they had been feeding on bread of tears and drinking their tears in full measure, to overflowing. They were scorned by their enemies, broken down and defenseless against those who hated them, taken advantage of by any who passed by, cut down and destroyed by those around them. Have you ever lived under that kind of great hardship and oppression - physically or emotionally or socially? Do you live under it now? Do you know someone living under it? This is living in darkness. Sometimes it is of our own making, from our own sinfulness. Sometimes not. Either way, it is darkness; it is feeding on bread of tears and drinking tears to full measure.

Do you see why they cried, "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel! You who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim ... shine forth your might! Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine into this darkness that we might be saved!" Let your face shine ... Your Might, Your Glory, You ... the I AM ... shine your light upon us, let us see You that we might be saved!

This morning we are in the darkest day of the year and we cry out together
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let you light shine that we might be saved!

For those believe in Him, we are saved in Jesus Christ. The Light of His Presence is with us and lives within us! We may call on His Light to shine and defeat any darkness in which we may live ... our sinfulness, the oppression of others ... and be freed! And, with our brothers and sisters of all ages and around the world we may look for That Day when the Light will come again and restore us to a world of Light, where there is no darkness at all. There is hope in that declaration. Take hope today. Take hope. O God ... let your face shine!