repentance and restoration

O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses;

you have been angry; oh, restore us.

Psalm 60:1

Sometimes we long for restoration because in our own sinful doing we have been disciplined by God. In this psalm David laments over the result of sin and judgment by God that followed in its wake. It feels like God has rejected His people. But what has happened is that God had broken through their misplaced values so that they would learn to trust in Him. The anger of God brought hardship with a purpose. And that purpose brought this prayer of repentance and heart-felt plea for God to restore lives.

David knows that Israel can in repentance run under the banner of a mighty God Who will save them (Psalm 60:4-5). He begs for God to fight for His people again because human might is a vain hope that only disappoints (Psalm 60:11). The only hope for restoration after a true repentance is the power of God to restore (Psalm 60:12).

I draw then this principle: When my experience senses a decline in divine blessing, I will first assume it is a call to examination of my heart for some needed repentance. And in confession I will plead for a gracious God to restore. With confidence, I know He will restore!