October 17 - Psalm 85

October 17 - Psalm 85

Even before the Lord has granted the Psalmist’s request, he chooses to live according to God’s will.

The first three verses remember what the Lord has done in the past.  He showed favor, he restored Jacob’s fortunes; he forgave his people and covered their sins, forgetting his anger toward them.   We do the same when things get stressful, don’t we!  We look back and see how things were better in the past; how God helped us move through problems to a better life.  This is exactly what we should be doing.  It is in remembering that we find confidence to move forward.

But, just like any child, we continue in our sin.  The Israelites did it as a community, we do it as well.  We know when we have sinned; we know when we have caused the Lord to be anger.  We aren't unaware, though we might be unwilling to see all of our sins.

How many times have you wondered if God will be angry at you forever?  Or, how many times have you wondered if things will ever get better?  There are plenty of times I have said both of those things, but the Israelites were concerned that His anger at them would last generations! (Psalm 85:5)  Forever meant something quite different to them.  I can’t imagine knowing that I would never see the Lord’s love and affection again and that my children and grandchildren wouldn't either.  Their prayers for restoration of His love and salvation were desperate.

Then, look at what the Psalmist says in verse eight.  Even before there has been restoration; even while he is still worried that the Lord’s anger will continue; he promises to listen to the Lord God and trust that the Lord’s salvation is near (Psalm 85:9).

While we are still in the middle of agony, we have to draw near to the Lord and trust that He will bring salvation.

The last verses of this Psalm are a beautiful song of praise for the day when the Lord returns.

His glory will live in our land.  Love and faithfulness will meet, peace and righteousness will kiss each other. Faithfulness comes from the earth (from us); righteousness comes from heaven (from God). The Lord will return health to the land and His people.

In the middle of our sin; in the middle of trying to come back to health from our sin; we must trust that the Lord will bring salvation and look forward to restoration, to a time when peace and righteousness will kiss and love and faithfulness will meet.