January 9, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in selections from Psalms? Here’s today’s reading:
Psalms 85-86 (NIV)
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.
3 You set aside all your wrath
I love the balance in these two chapter of what God provides to His people and our responsibility in that relationship. That we are to pursue righteousness, that we are to serve, that we are to be active participants in our relationships with Christ. For all He does for us it should burn a fire in us to want to serve, love, and care for others and put people before our own pride and selfishness.
Our lord is compassionate gracious abounding in love and faithfulness. We should always seek his truth and walk in his ways. We are to fear his name and praise him with all our hearts and glorify his name.
In the days of trouble I will call on you snd you will answer. Days when all you can do is call out Jesus. And he will always answer. What hope we have no matter what we are facing. The God of the universe is listening and answering. Can’t imagine not having that relationship in this life.
I’m here
Psalms 85-86
Psalm 85-86 it is such a comfort to know that he is always there, and that he cares. We are here to trust and put our faith in him. No matter how bad things may get he hears our prayers and he will see us through with his strength that he grants us.
The psalms were the song book of Israel and they come from different periods of their history. It is interesting that Psalm 85 was probably written in the time of the return of Judah to Palestine where the people of God were seeking God to restore them to the land and bless them as they worshipped Him. Psalm 86 is written by David in a time of hardship, maybe when Saul was pursuing him or when David’s son Absalom had driven David from Jerusalem (by David surrendering it to him to avoid bloodshed). In those times, we praise God for all He is and all He has done and yet seek Him for all that He would do on our behalf. David needs guidance and revelation…He needs God’s way but He also needs God to handle the people that are against Him. How comforting to know that when we are needy (which is often) God wants to hear from us and desires for us to lean into Him and grow closer to Him from the experience. And then to see Him be faithful to the things we ask Him for and exalt as He makes His presence known to us and those around us who need to know Him as well.
“I will hear what God the Lord will speak,
For He will speak peace
To His people and to His saints;
But let them not turn back to folly.
Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
And righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Yes, the Lord will give what is good;
And our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before Him,
And shall make His footsteps our pathway.”
Psalm 85
Psalms 85-86
God shows us his unfailing love again and again, and he promises peace to those who are faithful. He forgives our iniquity and covers all our sins. I am so thankful that he does this for us, it keeps us from being stuck in unworthiness and frees us up to do the things he has called us to do. David speaks about the character of God when he calls out to him, his mercy, forgiveness, love, strength and faithfulness. He prays to God all day long and he knows that God will answer because he has helped and comforted him in the past. We can call upon God in the same way when we are in distress, remembering his promises to us, his character, and his answered prayers. It helps us trust that he is there for us during the difficult times.