Psalm 85 gives us a beautiful picture of salvation but also
raises the possibility of backsliding, or leaving our first love, with a alert
towards steadfastness, and concludes with a glorious prophetic portrait of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
First the vive
(1-3): God saves his people by forgiving and covering all their sin and satisfying
his wrath and anger towards them. We know the fullness of this truth in the
work of our Savior on the cross. God has initiated his saving grace toward us.
Then the revive
(4-7): We have learned from the history of the OT and hear in these words that
God’s people have obviously been disobedient to him and are in need of restoration,
as David said, to the joy of their salvation (Psalm 51:12). The Psalmists cry
out to God for revival and spiritual awakening.
Followed by a caution
(8-9): The people are warned not to “turn back to folly.” Don’t leave your
first love in the words of Revelation 2:4. Hear God, fear him, “that glory may
dwell in our land.”
Finally, a portrait
(10-13): Read these verse 10 with Jesus in mind. Where have “steadfast love and
faithfulness” met? Where have “righteousness and peace” kissed each other? In
Jesus Christ. Truly righteousness has gone before him. Truly these blessings
come to those who are in him.
Prayer: Father, thank you that you have sent your Son into
the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be
saved. The beauty of his person and his saving acts draws us to him as
recipients of your grace and the gift of faith. Help us to walk in his
footsteps. Help us to be steadfast. Help us not to turn back to folly, but to
faithful to you.
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