Goshen College Goshen College Logo Goshen College 125th Logo

About
About
About GC
  • About GC
  • Quick Facts
  • Offices
  • Outcomes
  • Employment
  • Mission, Vision & Values
  • Our Faith Identity
  • Leadership & Governance
  • Intercultural & International Education
  • Sustainability @ GC
  • Institutes
  • Map & Directions
  • City of Goshen
  • Virtual Tour
Academics
Academics
Undergraduate Programs
  • Undergraduate Programs
  • Majors & Minors
  • Academic Catalog & Courses
  • Study Abroad
  • Goshen Core
  • Environmental Programs
Adult & Continuing Studies
  • Adult & Continuing Studies
  • Nursing (RN to BSN)
  • Social Work
  • Transition to Teaching
  • English Learners License
  • Academic Catalog & Courses
Graduate Programs
  • Graduate Programs
  • Business Administration (MBA)
  • Environmental Education (MA)
  • Nursing (MS, FNP track)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • Academic Catalog & Courses
Online Programs
  • Online Programs
  • Business Administration (MBA)
  • Nursing (RN to BSN)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • STEM Teach Indiana course
Admissions & Aid
Admissions & Aid
Undergraduate Programs
  • Undergraduate Programs
  • Request Info
  • Apply Now
  • Visit Campus
  • Costs & Financial Aid
  • Scholarships
  • Net Price Calculator
  • Admitted Students
  • International Students
  • Transfer Students
Adult & Continuing Studies
  • Adult & Continuing Studies
  • Request Info
  • Apply Now
  • Visit Campus
  • Financial Aid
Graduate Programs
  • Graduate Programs
  • Request Info
  • Apply Now
  • Visit Campus
  • Financial Aid
Student Life
Student Life
Student Life
  • Student Life
  • Housing
  • Clubs & Activities
  • Spiritual Life
  • Dining Services
  • Diversity on Campus
  • Health & Safety
Resources for:
Alumni
Alumni
Alumni
  • Alumni
  • Alumni Directory
  • Transcripts
  • The Bulletin
  • Homecoming Weekend
  • Contact Us
Read The Bulletin
Latest issue: Fall/Winter 2019
Visitors
Visitors
  • Bookstore
  • City of Goshen
  • Offices
  • Rec-Fitness Center
  • Music Center
  • Buy Tickets
  • Map/Directions
  • Virtual Tour
  • Events Calendar
On Campus
On Campus
  • Moodle
  • Mahara
  • Registrar's Office
  • Library
  • Job Bank
  • Accounting Office
  • Pay Bill
  • Offices
  • Human Resources
  • Department Forms
  • Goshen Gear
  • MyGC
  • GC Online
  • Events Calendar
Quick Links:
The Arts
The Arts
  • Study Art
  • Art Galleries
  • Study Music
  • Music Center
  • Live Stream
  • Performing Arts Series
  • Study Theater
  • Theater Productions
  • Events Calendar
  • Buy Tickets
Athletics
Athletics
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
  • GoLeafs.net
  • Live Stream
  • Online Store
  • Rec-Fitness Center
  • Intramurals
Goshen College Athletics
News & Events
News & Events
News & Events
  • News & Events
  • Events Calendar
  • Latest News
  • GC in the News
  • Social Media Directory
  • Alumni Magazine: The Bulletin
  • Photo Albums
  • President's
  • Advent & Lenten Devotions
  • Ecuador
  • Ticket Office
  • E-Subscribe
  • Live Stream
GC to offer new majors in public health, criminal justice and restorative justice
Posted 2 months ago
Key Actions: Give Visit

Request Information

Get essential information about our academic programs, admissions & financial aid. Your admissions counselor will also follow up with specific questions.

Undergraduate Adult & Continuing Studies Graduate

If you're not a prospective student or parent, feel free to email general questions to info@goshen.edu.

Visit Campus

Visiting our campus is one of the best ways to get a feel for Goshen — from classes and dorms to the dining hall menu — and decide if it’s a good fit for you. We are a friendly community where people are happy to answer your questions and show you around.

Undergraduate Adult & Continuing Studies Graduate

Apply Now

Take the next step!

Undergraduate Adult & Continuing Studies Graduate

Complete an Existing Application

GC › Recent Devotions
  • Subscribe
Advent & Lenten Devotions  —  2015 Advent  —  Restore us, O God of hosts

Restore us, O God of hosts

December 16, 2015 Leave a Comment

Share Tweet Email

By Jo-Ann Brant, professor of Bible, religion & philosophy

Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7 (NRSV)

Psalm 80 begins with a familiar metaphor, God the shepherd, but the imagery is unstable. The psalmist quickly moves to the use of shepherd as a metaphor for a king and shifts from a pastoral setting to a royal court. In contrast to Psalm 23, the people who speak do not experience God’s guidance and protection. These are the works of a people who feel God’s absence, a people in exile who call out for God’s presence and deliverance.

I recognize that this psalm was not written for me to pray but rather for me to hear. If my neighbor scorns me, it is because I have been complicit in feeding them with the bread of tears. If my enemies laugh at me, it is because I am like the fool in Ecclesiastes 7:4 who seeks out the house of mirth rather than the house of mourning. I know the answer to the psalmist’s question of how long the Lord God will be angry with my prayers. If I allow those who are in exile to drink from my cup that overflows, then I will feel the warmth of God’s face shine upon me because I will not need to turn away in shame because of my feasting.

In order to stand side by side with the Bethlehem shepherds to welcome our savior, I must also heed Jesus’ word in Matthew 5:23 and turn to them to ask permission to join their company.

Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7 (NRSV)

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth

2before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!

3Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

4O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

5You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.

6You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.

7Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.


Filed Under: 2015 Advent, Advent Devotions

Share Tweet Email
« The Inescapable Sheep
Bringing Jesus’ story into the 21st century »
  • Recent Devotions
  • Subscribe

Devotion Archives

  • 2019 Advent
  • 2019 Lent
  • 2018 Advent
  • 2018 Lent
  • 2017 Advent
  • 2017 Lent
  • 2016 Advent
  • 2016 Lent
  • 2015 Advent
  • 2015 Lent
  • 2014 Advent
  • 2014 Lent
  • 2013 Advent
  • 2013 Lent
  • 2012 Advent
  • 2012 Lent
  • 2011 Advent
  • 2011 Lent
  • 2010 Advent
  • 2010 Lent
  • 2009 Advent
  • 2009 Lent

Recent Comments

  • Devotions editors on God Sees the Secret Servant
  • Adela Hufford on A Treasure in the Midst of Sorrow
  • Wayne on God Sees the Secret Servant
  • Angela Maggard on God Sees the Secret Servant
  • H. Horton on God Sees the Secret Servant
Goshen College

Address

1700 South Main Street
Goshen, Indiana 46526

Map / Directions

Phone

(574) 535-7000 | 1 (800) 348-7422

Email

info@goshen.edu

Social Media

Social Media Directory

Web Privacy Policy |  Web Accessibility Policy |  Leave Website Feedback |  Login

Squirrels like Jimmy B., shown here on a bike, can be seen around the Goshen College campus.

Rankings

Affiliations