Psalms Session 4

Review from the personal study:

Importance of calling our sin what it is - evil.

The impression: in Christ, our confession does not lead to our condemnation, but our freedom.

Psalm 73.

Psalm 73:16–17 CSB

When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless until I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny.

The wicked seemed to have it all good. The righteous seemed to have no benefit.

UNTIL HE WENT TO THE SANCTUARY OF GOD.

Psalm 73:26–28 CSB

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. Those far from you will certainly perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.

Self-pity distorts reality

“Victim mentality”

The Structure

Grace in the Past (v. 1-3)

Psalm 85:1–3 ESV

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. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.

Remembering what God has done for you is what can help you when times of need return.

Need in the Present (v. 4-7)

Psalm 85:4–7 ESV

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.

Being aware and accurate

Clarity and Resolve in the Present (v. 8-9)

Psalm 85:8–9 ESV

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. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.

This is an understanding of where to go because of the present need.

Grace in the Future. (v. 10-13)

Psalm 85:10–13 ESV

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.

“We are extreme sinners and God has extreme grace for extreme sinners who have done it again.”

Words of Wrath

There are two kinds of wrath in God - wrath of damnation and wrath of discipline.

Damnation is destruction.

Discipline is preparation. (for heaven)

Hebrews 12:5–6 ESV

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Psalm 85 not about damnation it is about discipline.

This is a prayer about seeking to avoid his discipline, but rather have his blessing.

It is a prayer to enter into revival rather than destruction.

Key Words

Revive (v. 6)

“Will YOU not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (v. 6)

“As long as God is God we should never loose heart - even when we have sinned again.”

Petitioning of the Lord to work.

“SHOW us YOUR steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.” (v. 7)

Again

“restore us AGAIN” (v. 4) “revive us AGAIN” (v. 6)

For every again of our sin, there is a greater again of God’s grace.

The punchcard example. We fear we will clip our punchcard one too many times.

Psalm 85:10–13 ESV

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.

Our future blessing is greater than our past blessing.

The story of Job.

Folly

Psalm 85:8 ESV

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.

We must remember the Lord, and not turn back to folly.

Folly is smug complacency.

This means we remain focused on God. What he has done. How he sustains us.

Fear

Psalm 85:9 CSB

His salvation is very near those who fear him, so that glory may dwell in our land.

Fear of the Lord is the avoidance of folly.

If folly is complacency, fear is awareness.

“The fact that we’re sinners only means that we are really qualified for revival.”