stephen R Harrison

God can reconcile those who are divided whether it be a marriage, family, friends, or church. He knows how to make two “become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5) and “make two groups one” (Ephesians 2:14). This was Asaph’s prayer in Psalm 80 for the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah to be restored (vv. 3, 7, 19). The children of Israel had been divided and fought amongst themselves for many years in the Promised Land. How ironic and sad they would do this after God’s faithfulness of bringing them out of Egypt’s slavery! This tribal division and political rivalry among God’s people stretched back many years from Jacob (Genesis 37) and Benjamin (Judges 20, 2 Samuel 2-3). David reunited the tribes for a short period of time (2 Samuel 5), but soon the division began again with Absalom (2 Samuel 12), and Jeroboam and Rehoboam (1 Kings 11-12). 1 Kings 12:16 says, “Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.” It’s sad to see division among God’s people, especially over issues such as political and tribal differences.

Asaph prayed for “the vine” (vv. 8-16), a common name for Israel through Scripture ((Isaiah 5:1–7, Jeremiah 2:21, Ezekiel 15:1–2, Hosea 10:1). Like a vine, as Israel obeyed the Lord, He grew them by transplanting them from Egypt to the Promised Land of their inheritance in Canaan, and spreading them across the land (vv. 8-11). When they disobeyed in sin, it brought not only division with God Himself but also among God’s people. Sin always divides. It separates the closest of families and friends. It can destroy growing and thriving churches. Sin such as jealousy, pride, anger, and bitterness have divided not only Israel, but all of God’s people time and time again. I’ve seen churches who were at one time reaching many souls for God divide and be split over the dumbest of surface reasons that were rooted deep in sins like those mentioned above. I’ve seen marriages split up because pride kept husbands and wives from repenting, forgiving, and applying the reconciling peace that comes from the Lord. It’s sad when God’s people will not use the tools of redemption of the resurrected blood of Jesus, the Spirit of God, the Word of God, forgiveness, and repentance. When we do not apply the blood, the Word, and walk in the Spirit through reconciliation, we falsely testify that Jesus’ resurrection has no power to unite. What a mockery of the cross of Calvary! Tribalism and political division have no place in the body of Christ!

One day the vine and olive tree of God’s people will be restored as they are rooted in Him (Romans 11). Asaph knew the division among themselves and with God was caused by Israel’s sin. The vine was broken down, ravaged by enemies, and stunted in its growth (vv. 12-16). It was only through submitting to the convicting hand of the Lord (v. 17) that they would repent from their sins and turn back to the Lord and one another (v. 18). You’ll never be united as long as you continue in your sin! It is only when we repent and return to the Lord that we will find restoration within our family, marriages, friends, and churches. As Asaph prayed, we too must pray, “Restore us, LORD God Almighty. Make your face shine on us, that we may be saved” (v. 19).

Questions:

1. Are you continuing to be divided because of sin or united because of repentance?
2. Have you returned to the Lord and turned away from bitterness, jealousy, pride, and anger?
3. Have you made a mockery of the resurrection power of Jesus’ triumph over death and the cross by remaining in your sin?

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the victory that comes through the cross of Jesus. You make two become one. You restore the divided. You revive the broken. May we repent of our sins that divide and allow Your restorative hand make our families, marriages, friends, and churches united in Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.