Psalm 80: A Christmas Eve Meditation
"Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock, You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken Your might; come and save us."
~ Psalm 80: 1-2
In these two verses the psalmist ascribes five unique
qualities to God specifically as they relate to His title of: Shepherd of
Israel.
- God leads us like a flock.
- God is enthroned.
- God shines forth before his people.
- God is mighty.
- God comes to save us.
When I think of a Shepherd, I imagine the sort of fellow who
guides and guards his flock. I really don’t take it much deeper than that. But
those qualities are only covered by #1 and #5 in the list above; the outermost
if you will. And yet these qualities flow naturally inward as they rest upon
other more profound qualities.
Inherent in the idea of guiding and leading are the concepts
of authority and provision. Sheep are subservient to shepherds. Shepherds don’t
“suggest” things to sheep, they tell them where to go and physically move them
in that direction. Sheep obey. Shepherds enforce their will because they want
their sheep to thrive. They lead them to water, to food and to shade from the
sun. God as such a Shepherd (guiding and providing) is by His nature God as a
Sovereign and Benevolent King. So we see the unbroken link between #1 and #2.
Likewise with the power to save and protect there must exist
a preponderance of Might; which can be defined as a fusion of strength and
courage. Sheep don’t need protection from green grass. There are wolves, bears
and other predators with a thirst for blood. Treacherous terrain, deserts and
tangled forests lay beyond the pasture ready to swallow up a wayward lamb. It is necessary and right then that the
Saving Shepherd would also be strong and fearless; ready to tackle any foe and
endure any hardship to save his flock.
If then the outward qualities of Leadership and Protection
have led inward to the deeper qualities of Benevolent Sovereignty and
Courageous Strength, it is reasonable to look at the central quality from which
these others spring. God “shines forth”
before His people. But what quality IS this “shining forth?” I think the
psalmist is speaking here of God’s Glory.
How could he not be? If this Shepherd were the sort to let
his sheep wander off, or cause them to search aimlessly for good pasture, or
who would run away at the first sign of danger, would we glorify him? Such a
shepherd is disgustingly far from glory. He is a pathetic weakling and not
worthy of praise. But this is NOT who we see.
Imagine now this Shepherd King who walks in majesty in the
midst of His flock. Who humbly cares and provides for their every need. Who
fends off wild beasts, rescues them from their wandering folly and nobly
carries them upon His shoulders to safety. Who lovingly sings over them as they
sleep. Ah! This Shepherd is a Glorious One to behold.
Yes it is His Glory that shines forth and not only His
Goodness or His Holiness. I say that because it does so “before” his people.
For God is Good and Holy at all times, whether we see it or not. Whether we
acknowledge it or not. But for God’s Glory to actually shine forth we NEED to
see it. We need to touch it. It must be experienced and celebrated.
“Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the Son of Man you have raised up for yourself.”
~ Psalm 80:17
It should not be overlooked that in saving us and leading us
God does not do it from afar. He leads
from within the flock. He comes to save us. And when He is Glorified we see it
with our own eyes. There is a name for this: Immanuel. God With Us.
“And there were Shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping
watch over their flocks by night.”
~ Luke 2: 8
Tomorrow is Christmas. A day to celebrate the birth of
Christ. As I meditated on these verses I couldn’t help but think how perfect it
was that God sent His angels to announce the birth of His Son to
Shepherds.
“Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to
you. He is Christ the Lord.”
~Luke 2: 11
They who humbly lived out an echo of the Divine Vocation
would surely know the implication of Savior and Lord; Protector and King. Their
hearts would be open to the invitation to welcome Him. He who would come face
to face with humanity, His great works to be displayed “for all people” (vs.
10).
There was only one way the Angels could have concluded their
message:
“Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace and goodwill
to all people.”
~Luke 2:14
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