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Advent devotions 2007

December 19 - Restoring the neighborhood
By Carol Willis, academic support administrative assistant

Scripture: Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete scripture.

Devotional:
Something about restoration has always appealed to me. I've always thought I'd like to restore an old gem of a house. I have refinished old furniture, and trash-to-treasure shows on TV make me smile.

God is all about restoration. He knows we're broken and he won't leave us that way. With his grace and in his time, he is making all things new. When hope shines through and God brings beauty from ashes in someone's life – yes, including my own – we glimpse what he has in mind for the whole creation.

And that's why Jesus came. As The Message paraphrases John 1:14, "The Word took on flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." (Isn't that great?!) When Jesus came, it was the first phase of the Father's master plan to reclaim and restore individuals, families, neighborhoods – all of creation. Even so, come Lord Jesus, come to our neighborhood.

As we wait for the world to turn, I can’t think of anything I'd rather do than work alongside Jesus, the ultimate restorer and my neighbor, expecting to see great and awesome things.

Psalm 80:3 from The Message:
God, come back!
Smile your blessing smile:
That will be our salvation.

Scripture: Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)
To the leader: on Lilies, a Covenant. Of Asaph. A Psalm.

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
    you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
    before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
    and come to save us!

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

O Lord God of hosts,
    how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
    and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbours;
    our enemies laugh among themselves.

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

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
    the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
    give us life, and we will call on your name.

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

Posted at 21:12 #