Desperate for God’s Glory

Text: Psalm 80
Theme: Asaph implored God, for he knew that only God’s glory could save them.
Key verses: “…O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display your radiant glory…Show us your mighty power. Come to rescue us! Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved” (v. 1b-3). “Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved. You brought us out of Egypt…and transplanted us into your land” (v. 7-8). “But now, why have you broken down our walls so that all who pass by may steal our fruit?” (v. 12). “Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Look down from heaven and see our plight” (v. 14). “Strengthen the man you love, the son of your choice. Then we will never abandon you again. Revive us so we can call on your name once more Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved” (v. 17-19).
What God said to me: Dwayne, this is a good discipline you are applying yourself to. Studying the psalms of my servant, Asaph, will help you see deep into his heart and mind. You are going to discover the many facets of a godly worship leader. I will teach you insights and qualities you need to reflect in your life and ministry. Stay with this. Search for the wisdom here like buried treasure. Seek and you will find. Regarding today’s psalm, I want you feel the desperation in Asaph’s voice. Do you sense how much he loves and trusts in me? Yet, he hasn’t got it all figured out about me. He doesn’t understand all my mysterious ways of dealing with my people. Asaph knew better than most the sordid history of rebellion and malcontent by Israel. Logically he knew they brought their broken situation on themselves as a nation. Yet he still groped for answers. He appreciated the power of my glory and knew that only my glory could save them from destruction and lift them out of despair. Four things I want you to be sure to realize from this psalm: Asaph knew me intimately and appreciated my glory. Asaph wasn’t afraid to be honest and bold, imploring me to action and even questioning why. Asaph knew he was completely and securely loved by me. “The son that you love” is the child who desperately needed his Father’s nurturing care and help. Finally, Asaph didn’t only pray for himself; he interceded for his people, demonstrating his maturity to think beyond his own circumstances and love others more than himself.
What I said to God: Holy Father and Lord, I honor You today. I thank You for speaking so clearly through Your Word. Granted, these are Asaph’s words, but it’s clear that You motivated him and led him to write them. He wrote as one who truly knew and loved You. I love his transparency. He certainly didn’t try to act like something he wasn’t. May we who are worship leaders today learn from his amazing example! Please make Your face to shine on my wife and boys today and on our congregation at Valley View. Use me to encourage someone today and share Your love. Shine Your glory through me today. I am desperate for You–but in no way desperate with You.