Turn Us Again
Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved! ~ Psalms 80:3
Have you ever felt like your life was spinning out of control? Like you were on a merry-go-round going the wrong direction? You keep spinning, holding on for dear life, but instead of enjoying the ride, you’re dizzy and wondering how you got on this thing in the first place. That was me not too long ago.
Psalm 80 is a earnest cry for restoration, a plea for God to shine His face on His people and make things right again. It’s a reminder that when life feels out of control, the best thing we can do is stop spinning and ask God to reset the direction of our lives.
I remember a time when everything felt out of control in my life. My finances were messed up, my relationships were strained, and my prayer life consisted mostly of, “Lord, help me survive today.” Somewhere along the way, I realized I was trying to handle everything in my own strength—grabbing every rope and lever to fix things—while completely forgetting to ask God for His wisdom and direction. One day, in the middle of the latest crisis, I came across these words in Psalms. That’s when it hit me, I didn’t need a better plan; I needed His plan and pretty much a restart of my life.
So, I prayed: “Lord, restore me. Show me where I’ve gone off track and shine Your face on me again.” Even though the circumstances didn’t instantly change, the desire of my heart began to line up with my Father’s desires for my life. He gently reminded me that He’s the vine, and I’m just a branch (John 15:5). My job isn’t to solve everything but to stay connected to Him. Slowly but surely, He began to restore what felt broken, and I saw His faithfulness in ways I never expected.
Whatever you are facing today, you too can experience this restoration. By simply taking some time to pause and pray you are taking the first step to getting off of life’s chaotic merry-go-round. Stop trying to control everything and cry out to God for help and restoration. Be specific about the areas where you need Him to work.
Next, refocus your connection with your heavenly Father. Spend time in worship and reading scripture each day. Try setting aside 10 minutes throughout the day to pray and ask Him to bring your heart into agreement with His. Trust His timing and recognize that restoration doesn’t always happen overnight. Be patient and trust that God is at work, even when you can’t see it yet.
Lastly, don’t forget to leave room to laugh a little. Sometimes, we take our struggles so seriously that we forget God’s joy. Remember, He’s the God who parted the Red Sea but also made a donkey talk. His plans are perfect and full of surprises—trust Him to handle the details.
Today I encourage you to take a moment to turn to God and ask Him to restore you. While you’re at it, let Him know you’re ready to get off the merry-go-round. Trust me, He’ll steady your steps—and even bring some real joy back into your life in the process.
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 80
1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!
2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up Your strength, and come and save us!
3 Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!
4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will You be angry against the prayer of Your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in great measure.
6 You have made us a strife to our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!
8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt You have cast out the nations, and planted it.
9 You prepared room for it, and caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
10 The hills were covered with its shadow, and the mighty cedars with its boughs.
11 She sent out her boughs to the Sea, and her branches to the River.
12 Why have You broken down her hedges, so that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit?
13 The boar out of the woods uproots it, and the wild beast of the field devours it.
14 Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts Look down from heaven and see, and visit this vine
15 And the vineyard which Your right hand has planted, and the branch that You made strong for Yourself.
16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down; They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.
17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself.
18 Then we will not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.
19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!
The Daily Dose 