GOD’S PROMISE OF RESTORATION
Opening Prayer
Father, what good thing do I have that has not come from you? Thank you for your faithful and loving care.
Read PSALM 85
Psalm 85[a]
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.[b]
3 You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.
4 Restore us again, God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
Footnotes
- Psalm 85:1 In Hebrew texts 85:1-13 is numbered 85:2-14.
- Psalm 85:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Where have you seen God’s steadfast love bring restoration in the life of your church?Reading this psalm, I wonder how the words resonate with the health of your own church communities. God had liberated the people of Israel from exile (vv. 1–3) and yet they were still unsure of God’s favor, struggling to rebuild their place of worship and their livelihoods. How could they be confident of God’s love and faithfulness?
With increasing secularization and declining church membership across the UK, we are also a faith community in crisis. The generational decline is particularly disturbing. Current statistics indicate 70 percent of people under thirty identify as non-religious, with only half of young people from Christian homes retaining their parents’ faith. Despite this our churches remain at the heart of our communities, caring for the poor, providing sanctuary for the homeless and friendship for the lonely.
Like Israel, we cry out in prayer for restoration and revival for God’s church (v. 6). We yearn to have communities raising their voices in praise as men and women, young and old, turn back to Jesus. Let’s be encouraged by God’s promises illustrated so beautifully by the psalmist (vv. 8–13). Research suggests that intergenerational friendship, listening to the global concerns of the young, and wrestling together with faith issues, will ensure that our churches remain relevant, living out the radically transforming shalom of Jesus.
Apply
In what practical ways can you share Jesus’s love with the younger generations coming behind you?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, help me to live out my faith in ways that help me connect with the younger generation and communicate the love of Christ meaningfully to them.
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