Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 85
85:1 LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
85:2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. Selah
85:3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
85:4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us.
85:5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
85:6 Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?
85:7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
85:8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
85:9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
85:10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
85:11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
85:12 The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
85:13 Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
Reflections
As Christians, when we are convicted of our sin and see clearly how sin can erode our walk with God, our response should be to turn and confess our great need for God’s forgiveness and Grace.
This Psalm paints a picture of what a true believer experiences when they come to the conclusion that their sin has lead them down a dark path. Furthermore, this Psalm not only causes great conviction but also points to how amazing Salvation is.
When a Christian experiences this awesome truth, we then understand what the Psalmist refers to in verse 4 about being restored, “Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us”. Restoration means “the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.” The Psalmist prays for a renewed status in God’s sight. The Psalmist was once completely devoted to the things of God. The love for God unwavering, true and genuine. The center of worship was pointed at an almighty God. Satisfaction, peace and joy was found only in having a deep and intimate relationship with Christ. That is exactly where the Psalmist longs to be once more.
The beauty of this Psalm is that in order to get back to that place, there is the knowledge that it can only come from the saving work of Jesus Christ and to also eliminate the sin that initially caused the spiral downward. The Psalmist recognizes that only God alone can save, restore and bring peace and joy again.
Let us take over this Psalmist and not allow for sin to lead us astray. Let us always with humility and joy recognize that we are in deep need of a loving Savior, confess our sins to Him and allow for God to make us new again.
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