Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches; it sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River. Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.
Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted. ~ Psalm 80:7-15
This Psalm is almost a response to yesterday's Isaiah passage.
It is full of metaphor.
Israel is the vineyard. God took them out of Egypt and planted them to grow and to flourish.
And flourish they did.
Until they didn't.
Until they turned from God and their roots were ravaged.
Isn't it strange that they seem so confused by it?
What are the ways we miss how our actions affect the gifts we've been given by God? How often do we take for granted those things that God provided to us?
How can make the most of the gifts we've been given?
Holy One, open my eyes to the things I am taking for granted. Help me to see where it is I need to turn so I am once again facing you? Amen
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