We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk.
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Psalm 85
Prayer for the Restoration of God’s Favor
1 Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
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.[a]
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12 The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and will make a path for his steps.
Devotional Thought
Several years ago, when I was preaching about lament, I came across Psalm 85 and it has held a meaningful place in my heart ever since. When I read Psalm 85 I am reminded of the journey of hope and the important place that remembering, lamenting and listening have within that journey.
In verses 1-3 the people of God remember who God is and what God has done for them. They recall God’s favour, mercy and forgiveness. The call to remember is one that occurs a lot throughout scripture. Remembering reminds us of who God is, who we are in Him, and that He is faithful.
In verses 4-7 the people of God lament their current situation, acknowledging that how things are now is not how they are supposed to be, they do not reveal the faithful God they know and remember, and they call out to God to act. They long for God to restore them, revive them, and reveal Her steadfast love once again so they can rejoice in Her.
In verses 8-9 the people of God stop.
and they listen to what God has to say to them. They still believe that God will save them and that His glory will dwell in their hearts and their land once more, but first they must listen to the words, the promises, He speaks over them.
In verses 10-13 the people of God are reminded of the hope they have because of God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Their current circumstances will not last forever, righteousness and peace will meet and make a path for them to follow, a path leading to the fulfilment of God’s promised salvation and rest.
Prayer
Loving God,
You are good and you are faithful. In whatever situations we are facing at the moment, help us to remember who you are, to trust you with our lament, and to listen to what you are saying to us. In doing so, may our hope, which is found in you alone, be restored and strengthened, as we await the fulfilment of your promises. Amen
Kat Wood,
Office Manager