LORD, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.
“Been Down So Long, It Looks Like Up to Me.” That is the title of a novel by Richard Farina but it could be a title to many a life story through the ages. Certainly the people of Israel had been down, first in slavery in Egypt and then in captivity in Babylon. We do not know when it was written or who wrote it but this is a prayer from someone who is down. It is a cry of someone who has nowhere else to turn. Their own efforts have led to this point and now it is time for God to take over. He did.
If you have been down so long, it looks like up to you, echo this prayer and know that it has been answered. He restored the fortunes of Jacob; he forgave the sins of his people; he covered all our sins; his anger is satiated; he has shown us steadfast love and granted us salvation. All of these blessings have come in answer to our cry of help when he sent his Son Jesus Christ to the cross. If you have been down so long…
Look up.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church