LORD, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin.
You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.
(Psalm 85:1-7)
Psalm 85 is a prayer for mercy.
The writers remind God that He showed favor to His people in the past: that He forgave them and withheld His anger, even though they deserved it.
The God of Jacob restored them and saved them, giving them their own land, a place of protection and prosperity. A place of peace and rest.
But now the people of their generation have rebelled. As a result, their land has been invaded. Their enemies are attacking them, and God is allowing it because the people are not looking to Him anymore. They have turned away to other gods.
So they pray this psalm.
They don't try to make excuses. They don't ask God why He is angry; They know. They know they are wrong and deserve God's anger. But they also know: He is merciful.
Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation...for (you) speak peace...Surely (your) salvation is near...Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other...Yes, the LORD will give what is good...Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. (vs. 7-13)
Surely His salvation is near, they proclaim: that His steadfast, enduring love and faithfulness will bring peace between God and His people once again. They are counting on God's righteousness, not their own. Peace will come, their land will be restored; not because they earn it, but because He is merciful. Mercy is a part of His righteousness. In His holiness, He can't be any other way.
Verse 13 tells us how it will happen: Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.
Where there seems to be no way: He makes a way.
This Psalm is pointing to Jesus. He said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
You may be familiar with these words in an eternal salvation sense. You believe Jesus is the only way to Heaven, and you have accepted Him as your Savior.
But when Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, He was talking about more than the afterlife. He was talking about the abundant life. He was telling His disciples how they would be living examples of His mercy, to not only be forgiven of their sins, but to have the power to overcome them: by His Spirit that would be within them.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these, because I am going to the Father...And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever." (John 14:12,16)
Similarly the phrase, make his footsteps a way, in Psalm 85, not only applies to His mercy making a way for us to enter the eternal dwelling of Heaven someday, but also to walk in His footsteps every day of our lives. He not only forgives us, but also gives us the ability to forgive others. He not only restores us, but gives us the ability to help restore others. He not only loves us with a steadfast, enduring love; He gives us the ability, through His Spirit, to love as He loves.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you...By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)
The writers of Psalm 85 were counting on God's righteousness, not their own, to save them. To restore them and their land and make their harvests and livelihood fruitful again.
Are you?
Are you striving for acceptance, trying to be good and dutiful and righteous? Or are you trusting in His righteousness and enduring love to save you?
Are you trying to carry the world on your shoulders, your community, your church, your family? Or are you trusting Jesus to carry you, and them?
Are you trying to love and forgive and trust in your own strength? Or are you allowing the Holy Spirit to give you what you need?
I constantly remind myself that following God's commands, having faith, and being who He has made me to be is not the goal. These are the result (fruitful harvest) of knowing my God. Knowing I am loved. Knowing I am His. Knowing His strength because He carries me and helps me to do what I could never do on my own. Knowing His mercy because He keeps showing up day after day, in spite of my imperfection.
He leads, and I follow; And even when I'm tripping all over myself in my worry, doubt, self-righteousness, selfishness... He is still faithful. He is still my God. He is still merciful. He is still good.
Please hear me when I say this: You do not need to do ANYTHING to gain God's favor. It's already yours. Just believe in His mercy, steadfast love, and holiness that doesn't shut you out, but draws you near.
Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy...
Save me; I trust you.
You are my God.
Be gracious to me, O LORD,
for to you I cry...
Make me glad
as I lift up my soul.
For you, O LORD, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast, enduring love,
to all who call on you...
Listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble
I call upon you, for you answer me.
There is none like you...
There are no works like Yours.
Teach me Your way, O LORD,
that I may walk in Your truth.
Give me a heart
to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O LORD, my God,
with my whole heart;
And I will glorify YOUR Name
forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me...
Give me strength and show me
a sign of your favor,
in the midst of my troubles.
Psalm 86
All Scripture taken from the ESV*
*Some portions paraphrased
