Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!
– Psalm 80:3

Enemies have invaded and ravaged the church collectively and each of us individually.  We need God to restore us, to turn us again to himself.  We need God’s face to shine upon us with grace upon grace.  We desperately need salvation from these enemies:

The Enemy of “Respectable Sins”

These are the “little” sins that we allow, excuse, and tolerate – anxiety, frustration, discontentment, unthankfulness, pride, selfishness, lack of self-control, impatience, irritability, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, judgmentalism, envy, jealousy, gossip, slander, hurtful words, and worldliness.  Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

The Enemy of Idolatry

Idols abound all around us in our culture and continually call us to bow down to them.  And too often we do.  We treasure money, shopping, possessions, beauty, dieting, food, people, family, reputation, popularity, sex, sports, TV, sleep, comfort, or ease more than we treasure Christ.  We trust in these idols to bring happiness, fulfillment, and security rather than trusting in Christ and finding in him the true joy he offers.  Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

The Enemy of Misplaced Priorities

Our priorities too often don’t align with God’s priorities.  We are to seek first the kingdomof Godand his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).  We are to hold the gospel as of first importance (I Corinthians 15:3-4).  We are to live for Christ and for his glory (Philippians 1:21, I Corinthians 10:31).  And yet we continually center our lives on other less important things.  Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

The Enemy of Busyness

We have filled our lives with trivial matters that mean nothing in light of eternity.  We are too busy to spend much time in the Word, much time in prayer, much time in worship, much time with God’s people, much time in evangelism, much time in service.  Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

The Enemy of Moralism and Legalism

We have lost sight of the gospel, replacing it with goodness.  We seek to be good, not godly.  And by example and teaching, we seek to make our kids the same.  We have resorted to graceless keeping of Biblical commands mixed with man-made rules in hopes of earning God’s continued favor, rather than dwelling in the gospel that empowers and motivates a godly life.  Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

The Enemy of Lacking Passion

We have lost our first love (Revelation 2:4).  We have become lukewarm (Revelation 3:16).  We do not earnestly seek God with our whole heart (Psalm 63:1, 119:2).  We do not delight in His Word (Psalm 119:16).  We do not hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6).  We go through the motions with little emotions.  Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Do any of these enemies ring true in your church?  In your life?  Then let us join together in repenting and looking to God.  Only he can restore.  Only he can save.  Only he can revive.  Let us long to have his face shine upon us.  Let us join together in crying out:

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.