Psalm 85

Read Psalm 85

“Lord, you were favorable to your land.” The sons of Korah knew that God had been very good to Israel. He had restored them from disaster in the past. He had forgiven their iniquities and had turned away from his “hot anger” concerning their sins. Would He help them now? “Restore us again, O God of our salvation!”

The Lord was right to be angry with their unfaithfulness. They were still His people. The Almighty was a God of “steadfast love.” His covenant mercy toward Israel included many episodes of fatherly discipline, but they would not have been able to survive if His anger continued forever. The sons of Korah led Israel to cry out for God's grace. “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?”

Then the prophetic Word of God came to one of the Lord's servants: “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly.” The Lord their God would grant His salvation to those who approached Him in holy fear. His glory would dwell again in the Promised Land. But would they walk in His wisdom?

How long could this covenant last between a holy God and a sinful people? “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” His salvation would not come from some pretense that His holy demands would continue to be ignored. Somehow Israel's God would receive the perfect righteousness that He was due and His servants would experience true peace.

What was God's perfect solution? The Righteous One would come down from “the sky.” Through His life and death a true offering for the sins of His people would be received. But how could a Messiah who died ever live again? Would Israel have salvation but forever mourn the loss of the Christ who saved them? “Faithfulness springs up from the ground” in the resurrection of the Lamb of God. Jesus lives forever. He shows us the way to go as His followers. Our fellowship with the Father and the Son is now eternally secure. The old cycle of failure and restoration has been broken. Our Lord has won heaven for us. We will be blessed in that new land, and we will walk in “His footsteps” forever.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Sovereign Lord, You have been so kind to us. We have the fullness of forgiveness in Christ. Please revive us again. Speak peace to us through Your Word. May we have growth in holiness that could only come from You. Your Son is the King of Righteousness. We trust in Him.