Psalm 85
You showed favor to your land, O Lord; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.
You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.
Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints–but let them not return to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
A Thought
The writer is asking God to restore his people what has been lost because of their folly. Love, faithfulness, righteousness, peace and salvation all come from obedience to God. When we learn to trust and obey God, he will restore us with favor to himself and give us what is good and plentiful.
Our Prayer
Father restore us to you, to be what you created for us to do–to bring glory and honor to your name. Help us to love you with all of our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Help us to be faithful to your word, always trusting you. Thank you for the work of love and mercy you are accomplishing in each of us. Come, Holy Spirit, come. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
