BIG IDEA:
SEEKING GOD’S FAVOR IS THE FIRST STEP IN SPIRITUAL REVIVAL
I. (:1-3) SEEKING THE FAVOR OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Trying to get God’s attention (“Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel”)
tender, compassionate shepherd
A. (:1a) The Good Shepherd Can Provide Guidance and Direction
“Thou who dost lead Joseph like a flock”
B. (:1b) The Good Shepherd Is Enthroned in Majesty
“Thou who art enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!”
C. (:2) The Good Shepherd Can Exercise His Power
“stir up Thy power, And come to save us!”
(:3) Refrain: “O God”:
restore us
cause Thy face to shine upon us
save us
II. (:4-7) SEEKING THE FAVOR OF THE MASTER DISCIPLINARIAN
“O Lord God of hosts” = the Commander in Chief
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stern, uncompromising leader
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high expectations
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wants to see commitment, sincerity, obedience
A. (:4) The Master Disciplinarian Can Get Pretty Angry
“How long wilt Thou be angry with the prayer of Thy people?”
B. (:5) The Master Disciplinarian Can Dish out some Painful Lessons
“Thou hast fed them with the bread of tears,
And Thou hast made them to drink tears in large measure.”
C. (:6) The Master Disciplinarian is Still Concerned with the Big Picture
appeal to His zeal for glory and honor
(:7) Refrain: “O God of hosts”
restore us
cause Thy face to shine upon us
save us
III. (:8-19) SEEKING THE FAVOR OF THE GREEN-THUMBED GOD
A. (:8-11) There was nothing wrong with the Initial Planting and Rapid Growth
1. Initial Planting
“Thou didst remove a vine from Egypt;
Thou didst drive out the nations, and didst plant it.
Thou didst clear the ground before it”
2. Rapid Growth
“And it took deep root and filled the land.
The mountains were covered with its shadow,
And the cedars of God with its boughs.
It was sending out its branches to the sea,
And its shoots to the River.”
B. (:12-13) The Present State of Distress is Very Surprising
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no protection
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easily oppressed and exploited by anyone
C. (:14-18) Plea for Renewed Attention
1. Seeking God’s attention
2. Based on what God has invested thus far
“the shoot which Thy right hand has planted”
“the son whom Thou hast strengthened for Thyself”
3. Based on the desperate condition of the plant
4. Based on God’s potential to strengthen
5. Based on the ultimate goal = a people who will not turn back, once revived
(:19) Refrain: “O Lord God of hosts” (notice the progression in this form of address in the 3 repetitions of the refrain)
restore us
cause Thy face to shine upon us
save us