Going Back from God
S. Conway Psalm 80:18 So will not we go back from you: quicken us, and we will call on your name. This psalm, this verse, is a penitent confession that Israel had been guilty of this sin, and it is a prayer for pardon and restoration. But such backsliding did not cease with Israel. We have here - I. A CONFESSION OF THE SIN. Israel needed to make such confession. But so do others now. 1. Apostates, like Demas, Judas, etc. 2. Those who know God has called them, but from fear of man refuse to confess him. 3. Those who have confessed him, but live inconsistent lives. 4. Those who, after special seasons of nearness to God, go back to indulge their old sins. These, and yet others, need this confession. II. A PORTRAYAL OF ITS MISERY. (See vers. 5, 6, 12, 13, 16.) The backslider is the most miserable man on the face of the earth. He can never forget that he has known the better way, and has chosen the worse. III. AN ASSURANCE OF ITS PREVENTION. 1. Such prevention needed; for going back is so easy, so secret, so perilous, so shameful, so condemned of God. 2. And is sure, by the grace of God turning us again, leading us into the possession and retainment of the fulness of his grace, and giving us the joy of his salvation. - S.C. Parallel Verses KJV: So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. WEB: So we will not turn away from you. Revive us, and we will call on your name.