Rooted

O. T. #1281  "Rooted"
Sept. 10, 2018
Psalm 80

LET IT GLOW

It has been 12 years now since a super strong straight-line wind blew across our farm. Huge, old trees were uprooted, the ones that were in its path. As the trees lay turned over on the ground, we could see the roots. It is amazing how thick and long the roots were on those trees, which must have been more than 50 years old. As I sit writing this lesson, I wonder how deep my spiritual roots are, the ones that are growing faith in Jesus. I like to think they are strong and deep, but I must confess, there have been some storms lately that almost uprooted me. But they didn't. Jesus picked me back up and planted me strong in Him again. Praise be to my Savior.

It may have been one of Asaph's descendants who wrote this chapter after the northern tribes were deported to Assyria by an Asaphite of the southern kingdom. (Falwell)

Did you notice a word which is used four times in this passage? Recon it is time to take notice? It is the word shine. Being a word-nerd, I looked up the meanings of them, to see if they were different in the Hebrew language. Sho enough folks, they were, but similar, too. Huh? (Sometimes I can't resist talking like a country gal that I am:) I'll explain.

1. In verse 1, the psalmist is asking the Shepherd of Israel, who dwells between the cherubims on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant, to shine Jehovah God is the only one who dwelled there. This shine is the Hebrew word   yapha (yaw-fah'), which means to shine; be light; show self; cause to shine forth.
2. In verses 3 and 7, shine is the Hebrew word owr (ore), which is to be or make luminous; glorious; kindle; give, show light; set on fire.
3. Verse 19 is a repeat of verse 3.

The first time shine is used, the psalmist is asking the God of Israel to stretch forth His hand giving assistance. He is light. Jehovah was the God who judged their sins, yet forgave them as He sat upon the Mercy Seat after blood was shed and poured out for the people. Jesus continues to do the same for us sinners, only He is residing in heaven beside the seat of the Almighty One God and Judge, interceding for us.

In the other three verses, shine is directed toward Israel. He is asking God, the Shepherd of Israel and Lord God of Hosts, to turn them, change them, not their circumstances of captivity. It was a heart matter. Israel needed to love their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. In other words, turn them from trusting idols to trusting God. So the prayer is for God to be favorable to Israel, God's chosen nation and children, to smile on them again. (He did, just later, after 70 years of captivity.)

Jesus brings light to the darkness because He is Light of the World. Are you living in dark times of your life? Dear one, let Jesus shine and fill you with Himself. He will shine and show us the way. Let us magnify Him as we trust Him in all things. He can set our souls on fire for Him.
Jesus Messiah, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel, Savior, the Rescue form Heaven, all our hope is in You, the Light of the World, Lord of all, as the song goes.

LET IT GROW

Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.

Did you catch the metaphor in verse 8-a vine standing for Israel? Whatever happens to a vine happened to Israel in her history:

• God transplanted and planted Israel, a small and frail vine, yet chosen nation of the Lord, after rescuing it from Egypt. (verse 8)
• He cleared the ground for them, removing the heathen ones and idol worshipers living in their Promised Land. (verse 9)
• Their branches spread from the Mediterranean Sea to east of the Euphrates River. (verse 10)
• He caused the vine to take deep roots and fill the land. Although their heathen neighbors tried to pluck them up in war, they failed as long as Israel continued to worship God. (verse 9)

How deep are our roots of faith? Is there any storm that the devil can send into our life that will blow us over? Turn us away from Jesus, away from the church? Or are we so deeply planted in Jesus and His Word that nothing can uproot us?

Paul said to the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 3:17, That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love...

and to the church at Colossae, in Colossians 2:6-7, As ye therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Jesus is the True Vine, as he said in John 15:1.

LET IT GO

Make my faith deeply rooted in You, Jesus, my True Vine.
May Your love flow through me to others.
Let thanksgiving be my fruit.
Shine Jesus shine through me today so others will know You are real and alive.