Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down on us. Only then will we be saved. (Psalm 80:3 NLT).
Never discuss politics or religion with your golf buddies. But………. at a huge risk, I venture in slightly to the murky waters.
I was in Scotland on July 4 during the British elections. For those of you not paying attention to the politics of the United Kingdom, an avowed Atheist defeated a seriously devout Hindu to be the new Prime Minister of the UK. No more Winston Churchill or Margaret Thatcher. No more “God save the Queen”. Those days are long gone.
It was not just a clash between Labour and the Torys. The election also reflected the religious condition of the UK. There seems to be either no religion or bad religion. My educated guess is that less than 1% of the United Kingdom are followers of Jesus.
The old version of British politics and religion was popish Catholics against reforming Protestants. King Henry the 8th (1491-1547) started his own Church of England. His daughter Queen ‘Bloody’ Mary burned hundreds of ‘heretics’ at the stake, including my ancestor John Philpot, in 1555!
Pilgrims departed for America in the 1600’s to get away from all the religious nonsense. Don’t try to figure it all out unless you want a headache.
But in 2024, the battle was between an atheist and a Hindu spiritualist. The ancestors of John Knox, John Wesley, and even the Pope have been pushed to the fringes.
And as for the American elections, my Scottish golf pals cannot understand why our nation can’t find anyone sane and competent under seventy to be President. They presume we have lost our collective minds. I say, “We have. I am embarrassed.”
President Biden’s comment on July 6, “If the Lord Almighty came down and said, ‘Joe, get out of the race,’ I’d get out of the race. The Lord Almighty’s not coming down.” sent me to the 80th Psalm.
The Psalm has some news for all the politicians. The Lord Almighty is indeed coming down. Maybe not before November- but He is coming!
Three verses in Psalm 80 (v. 3, 7, and 19) are identical except for one word, which is the name used for GOD. The psalmist’s plea for help starts with calling out to “God” (v. 3). He then ramps it up to “God Almighty” (v. 7). Finally, at the end, he goes all in —he calls for help from the “Lord God Almighty” (v. 19).
And what is the Psalmist’s prayer? “Make your face shine down upon us.” (Ps 80: 3,7,19). The psalmist knew that this Lord God Almighty has a FACE!
Pause for a moment and picture Jesus in your mind! The psalmist knew that someday, God would have a face- Jesus Christ!
Not only does God have a face, but He also has a NAME that is even stronger than the Lord God Almighty. That name is Jesus. The Psalmist reminds us. “Revive us so we can call on your name once more.” (Ps. 80:18).
I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with some worry. At 3 a.m., there is nothing you can do except pray.
How? For me, it’s simple: “Jesus.” “Jesus.” “Jesus.” I see Jesus and mutter His Name until I fall back to sleep: Jesus—the Lord God Almighty.
So, Mr. President and all the politicians of the world. The Lord Almighty is indeed coming again. His name is Jesus. “Only then will we be saved.” (Ps. 80:3, 7, 19 NLT).
PRAYER: “Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down on us. Only then will we be saved.” Save us again, Jesus. Amen.