Day 508: Psalm 85- Restoration And Revival

Lord, you were favorable to your land;
    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
    you covered all their sin. 
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
    you turned from your hot anger.
 
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
    and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
    that your people may rejoice in you?
 
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
    but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
    that glory may dwell in our land.
 
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
    and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
    and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
    and make his footsteps a way.
 
Meditation
God wants to revive you, restoring the joy of your salvation. God desires for your heart to turn from dark to light with the dawn of His promises and to bring redemption to your life. The Lord longs to lavish you with His love and goodness, restoring your heart and hope.
 
This prayer for restoration begins by looking to the past (1-3), celebrating God’s faithfulness to restore, forgive, cover sin, and give freedom to begin again. This prayer is a petition for Him to turn and do it again.
 
In the present we pray to the “God of our salvation” for restoration. Join the prayer seen in 4-7, asking God to allow you to begin again, reviving your heart to celebrate the joy found in Him. May we see and know His steadfast love!
 
The posture of those praying is one of turning. We turn to hear what the Lord will speak and return not to folly (8). We turn to fear the Lord and return to seek first His glory. The posture of our hearts is purposed to receive God’s promises. (8-9).
 
God promises steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace for all who have a humble posture to receive (10-13). The Lord will give what is good to those who turn and trust Him! We will be surrounded by God’s character; His faithfulness under our feet and His righteousness raining down from heaven will grow fruit of the Spirit in the soil of our souls.
 
Restore us again, Oh God of our salvation!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you long for restoration and revival? God has restored and renewed in the past… do you believe He can and will do it again?
 
-Participate presently in the prayer of 4-7 and pay attention to the posture of your heart. Turn and humble yourself before our Holy God.
 
-Which promises in 10—13 are most prominent to you? Why? All God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus. Ask Him to make these promises tangible to you through His Spirit.
 
Key Verse
6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?