Read Psalm 80:1-7.
“Restore us, O God of hosts…”
In the early days of the ongoing pandemic, when live sports were no longer on television, I found myself watching a lot of HGTV. Shows like Fixer Upper, Home Town, and Good Bones filled my apartment as I quarantined and practiced social distancing. Shows where older, sometimes run-down, damaged houses were restored, and given new hope and beginnings. There was something deeply comforting about seeing the finished product, perhaps because I was longing to see that same restoration in the world around me. I was longing for my “normal” to be restored.
As followers of Christ we believe in restoration. Each Sunday we confess our sins to God, and proclaim our belief that God hears us and cleanses us. Through God’s forgiveness we are made new! Our belief in restoration gives us hope. We know that there is a better way, and believe that there are better things to come. We see the pain and brokenness in the world around us. We feel the sting of losing loved ones, and hear the pleas of tired, burned out front line workers: “Are we there yet?” And yet, we have hope. We have hope in a God who deeply loves us; a God who we believe is making all things new. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to be a part of that work.
Pray
“Create in me a clean heart O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” (Ps. 51:10)
Robert Newman
Steering Team Co-Chair
Words for Waiting 