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The Power of Positive Memories
From Psalm 80: 1 Shepherd of Israel, listen! You, the one who leads Joseph as if he were a sheep. You, who are enthroned upon the winged heavenly creatures. Show yourself 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh! Wake up your power! Come to save us! 3 Restore us, God! Make your face shine so that we can be saved! 4 LORD God of heavenly forces, how long will you fume against your people's prayer? 5 You've fed them bread made of tears; you've given them tears to drink three times over! 6 You've put us at odds with our neighbors; our enemies make fun of us. 7 Restore us, God of heavenly forces! Make your face shine so that we can be saved!
I will never forget the first time I was old enough to go to MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship). Actually, in those days, MYF came to get you. I believe you could be in MYF until you were 21 or 25. Anyway, the president of the MYF drove a nice red 1957 Chevrolet in which she picked up all the kids. Seatbelts were not yet a thought in any GM or Ford makers heads yet, so the entire MYF could pile into this whale of a car and ride back to the church. For some reason the radio station always seemed to play Lou Christy's "Lightnin' Strikes" on those trips to church. Whatever program or outing we had, we always closed with the MYF blessing, which I believe had been tailored over the years to something like, "And now, May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace, amen. Christ Above All!" We seemed to get louder as we said it so by the time we reached "Christ Above All" we were yelling it. I never really understood that blessing other than to know we were asking Jesus to be with us. It did make me wonder about some of the words, like countenance whatever in the world that means, but I knew what shine means but I wondered what it would mean to have Jesus shine upon me.
The Psalmist knew. As he prayed this prayer he addressed the Almighty as Shepherd of Israel, the guide of all who believed, including Joseph, son of Israel, and all his brothers. He asks that God show Himself to the people in ways they could understand that this is the God of power who can save us. Salvation is being snatched from the claws of certain death and brought back into the loving arms of God. It means a restoration back in that perfect relationship God desires with us. It means feeling the warmth of God's smile upon us, dispelling the darkness and saving us from all that comes upon us in the night. How appropriate a prayer for teenagers of all ages. Even though we may go through tough and troubling times, the believer does not give up on the hope that God can and will save us from all distress. God can make His face to shine upon us and give us peace. What better thing can a youth or a former youth still say than "Christ above all"?
PRAYER: Loving God, for those who served You as our youth leaders, presidents, officers, sponsors, youth directors and youth pastors, I give You thanks. If it were not for them I would not be blessed today like I am. Make Your face shine upon them in whatever they may be needing and shine on me. I pray in the name that is above all, Jesus Christ, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
