You Call, I'll Come!
Opening Prayer
Father, show me even more of Your amazing love today, as I pick up my Bible and study Your Holy Word.
Read Psalm 85:1-13
[1] For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. 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. [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. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does it feel when you desperately need forgiveness?I used to do work in the law courts with the Salvation Army, and I remember the intense anxiety as repeat offenders awaited their moment before the magistrate. In a sense, this is the kind of anxiety evoked in this psalm. Have God’s people blown it once too often (5,6)? This is a cry to God for mercy and healing for his people. Some say that it belongs to the period after the exile, referring to the troubles faced by Nehemiah, perhaps a drought that had affected the land (12). The people of Israel were prone to drifting away from God, but when they prayed in their distress, God heard them and came to them. Look through the psalm and try to identify the steps to restoration that these verses spell out. The psalmist knows that God has in the past forgiven his people (1-3), and he asks God to come again (4). God is full of mercy and compassion (7), but to enjoy these qualities, his people must turn. They must listen to him and quit their national foolishness of idolatry, injustice and alliances (8). They must deeply respect him (9) and allow his ways to be their ways (10-12).
Apply
If there is anything in your life that keeps you from embracing God’s mercy and compassion, hand it over to the Lord!
Closing prayer
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am a sinner. Let Your love for me enable me to reach others and tell them of Your saving grace.
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