October 1st - Reflection

Psalm 80:7-15 (NRSV)
Look down from heaven, O God
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.

Reflection
A vine taken and transplanted from Egypt that grows and flourishes under the rules of David and Solomon. But the vine is deserted because it was invaded by Gentiles. The vine is in need and cries out for rescue.

Just like the Israelites sometimes we fall in need due to our neglect of communion with God. We find out that we are in need and cry out to God to come to us and save us. And in our cry we begin to realize that we were the ones that neglected God. Forgive us and restore us to your favor O Lord.

Prayer
Lord, the times I fall away and turn from you and neglect you, are lonely times. I feel the need of communion with you but am lazy. Forgive me and restore me to your presence. --- Amen