God’s Love Restores & Comfort

Introduction

Last week we began advent season. We talked a little about what advent means and that it has been a long standing tradition throughout church history.

We are taking this opportunity during this advent season to look back at history and see God’s redemptive work in the Scriptures which should prompt us to look at our own lives and see how God has used our pains, our triumphs, our highs, and our lows to bring us into closer connection with Himself.

We talked about how sin is the great divided between God and humanity. In our examination of the first 9 verses of Isaiah 64 we saw how Isaiah came to realize that the cause of all misery is sin and questioned how can anyone be saved when they cannot even see that they are lost.

He came to the realization that God has to initiate salvation because no one will ever seek it. Realizing that you are sinful is the first step towards receiving God’s gift of salvation but most people, because of the wickedness in their hearts do not want to hear that they are wicked.

The hope we talked about last week lies in the realization of how wicked we are. That realization will have us receive the forgiveness of sin which is found only in Jesus. Jesus, as we learned las week is our hope of salvation. In Him God will restore all things

We said last week that Advent is a season of waiting, preparing, hoping… It reminds us of the both Christ’s 1st coming as a baby in Bethlehem and His second coming as King and Judge… all of which is for the redemption of God’s people who has been alienated from Him.

Today we will take a look at a few verses found in Psalm 85. This division of the Psalms invites us to reflect on the comforting and restoring love of God. Today’s texts remind us that in our brokenness and sin, God’s love's shines as a holy light to restore and comfort us. His love meets us where we are but does not leave us there—it moves us toward peace, forgiveness, and ultimate restoration. .

Advent reminds us not only of Christ’s coming into the world but also of what His presence accomplishes: restoration, peace, and renewal. Today, as we focus on Peace, we explore how God’s love actively restores what is broken, comforts us in our struggles, and draws us into a secure and holy relationship with Him.

There are 4 points I would like to draw out from most of Psalm 85

1. God’s Love Restores Through Forgiveness (vv. 1-2)

The Psalmist begins by recalling God’s historical acts of restoration

Psalm 85:1–2 (LSB)

1 O Yahweh, You showed favor to Your land; You returned the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. Selah.

This declaration of God’s forgiveness shows that restoration begins when sin is dealt with. God’s love actively removes the barrier that separates us from Him, covering sin and restoring us to relationship with Him. And this is a constant thing with God

How many times has God helped you, delivered you, guided you… you were scared to death and somehow, someway he found a way to get you where you needed to be, got you what you need to get, worked on you behalf in ways that at the time you could not imagine. Especially knowing that you have sinned

How many times do you find yourself in another troublesome situation only to doubt Him again?

There is a phrase that is used in modern psychology: Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. How many have heard this before?

Israel’s and Judah refused to keep God’s commandments and honor the covenant he made with them. This resulted in God removing his protection over their nations so that they would fall to the Assyrian and Babylonian Empires. However, God’s anger is short-lived when compared with his love and compassion

Consider God’s forgiveness toward David after his sin (Psalm 51) and His restoration of Peter after his denial of Christ (John 21:15-19)

The forgiveness that Christ brings reconciles us to God, transforming our relationship with Him. It is in God’s nature to forgive those who sin when they come to Him time and time again. When we remember what God has already done, we can trust Him to act again. God’s mercies are a continual source of comfort and hope.

The word forgiven used by the psalmist in verse 2 is the Hebrew word nāśā’, meaning to lift, bear up, care, take (remove or sweep away). God’s love for us lifts us up out of our grief, bears our burdens, cares for our spiritual and physical needs, and sweeps away the judgment that stands against us.

The psalmist was not only interested in the land, but more importantly in relationship with God. The iniquity that once hindered relationship was now taken away.

Israel continually sinned against God and themselves and yet

Isaiah 40:2 (LSB)

2 “Speak to the heart of Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare has been fulfilled, That her iniquity has been removed, That she has received from the hand of Yahweh Double for all her sins.”

God’s forgiveness is the first step towards restoration. Remember how he has forgiven you in the past and go to Him, run to Him that He may forgive you again today. He will restore your relationship with Him.

1 John 1:9 (LSB)

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Forgiveness purifies us restoring peace with God. Peace with God is everything. Every blessing including, but not limited to life eternal begins with having peace with God which is why the apostle…

Mark 1:4 (LSB)

4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

When my wife and I are at odds with each other, when we are in conflict the biggest discomfort is not that I am not getting my way or that she is not getting her way; the biggest discomfort is not even in feelings getting hurt or that one is angry, sad, or disappointed. The biggest discomfort is the absence of peace.

Once we are ready to forgive one another we begin to experience peace again, like a burden has been lifted.

God’s forgiveness prepares us to experience His peace which is infinitely greater than what we experience when forgiveness is found within loved ones.

People that love forgive. And God loves us, which brings me to my second point

2. God’s Love Brings Peace (vv. 8-9)

Psalm 85:8–9 (LSB)

8 Let me hear what the God, Yahweh, will speak; For He will speak peace to His people, to His holy ones; 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.

The Psalmist here is saying “let me hear” or “I will listen.” In other words, I will pay attention. He is anticipating a response.

The sense here is not that of a conversation the words here “what God will speak, or say” carries the heaviness of a word that comes with authority, a word of power, It is a promise.

And this word peace šālôm is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of wholeness, harmony, security.

It is well-being if every dimension. Every good thing, feeling, satisfaction, joy that makes no sense comes from having peace with God. This is why Jesus said…

John 14:27 (LSB)

27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

This peace that we get from our Lord is deep, enduring, transformative. Christ came not just to forgive but for that which flows as a result of forgiveness, peace, reconciling us to God and giving us security in His love.

Let His love calm your anxieties and guide your relationships. Your heart can now be at rest even if the rest of the world is still at war. Anxiety, depression, and stress need not be your constant companion.

Philippians 4:6–7 (LSB)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace that does not make a lick of sense. Peace with God brings with it the peace of God and God’s peace guards and sustains us. A. W. Tozer wrote,

“Once the Holy Spirit’s work in our heart begins, grace, forgiveness, cleansing take on a form of almost bodily clearness. … Love for God and for the children of God takes possession of the soul. We feel ourselves near to heaven and it is now the earth and the world that begin to seem unreal

Isaiah 26:3 (LSB)

3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace Because he trusts in You.

Once you have trusted God enough to bring your sins to Him. That trust in God will bring peace to our hearts and minds because He will forgive. For it is written

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

And God’s forgiveness is better than human forgiveness which will make you feel better about this situation or this specific relationship but…

3. God’s Love Restores the Whole Person (vv. 10-11)

There is a picture of completeness, of unity, cohesiveness look at how the psalmist paints this beautiful portrait.

Psalm 85:10–11 (LSB)

10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11 Truth springs up from the earth, And righteousness looks down from heaven.

Four of the most significant words in Hebrew are combined in verses 10 and 11, like jewels in a crown. Their totality of meaning embraces in large measure the fullness of the Old Testament concept of the relationship between God and his people when harmony has been established.

Love and faithfulness meet together. Righteousness and peace kiss each other. This combination of words is so packed with significance like in the NT where…

John 1:17 (LSB)

17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Each of these terms has a plethora of meaning that is not incorporated in any singly English word.

That first word love hêsêd can be accurately be translated as steadfast love, mercy, lovingkindness, loyalty

It is a demonstrated type of love. It is not a love of merely words or feelings but of actions. It is characteristic of individuals who live in joyful harmony husband/wife parent/child.

The second word “faithfulness is êmêt which literally means truth but often translates as faithfulness also has a breath of meaning for which there is not one-word equivalent in English.

Its basic concept is to be “firm,” and so “faithful” or “true.” It includes also the concept of trust and dependability. The noun is translated variously as truth, faithfulness, fidelity.

Living in truth, speaking the truth, doing the truth is living in “faithfulness.”

And then there is righteousness and peace kissing each other.

Psalms, Volume 2 1. Of Harmony with God (85:8–11)

Righteousness (צֶדֶק, ṣedeq) means doing that which is right or just, free of any guilt. Since “all have sinned” (Rom 3:23), and not one is righteous (Ps 14:3), man is no longer fit for fellowship with God. Consequently, man’s case is hopeless, except that God, in his righteousness, makes a way for a return to him in righteousness—redeemed, forgiven, and reinstated as a true child of God, and dedicated to live henceforth as a child of God ought to live. When this righteousness which is of God would be the possession of the people once again, manifested in their lives, “peace” (šālôm) would be realized—righteousness and peace would have embraced and kissed each other (middle east style!)

God’s love does not just address sin; it restores us fully—our hearts, our relationships, and even our purpose. His righteousness brings us into alignment with His holy nature, leading us into flourishing.

Christ’s work in us is not partial; His love restores every part of our lives and prepares us for the fullness of His kingdom.Let God’s love transform every part of your life. Invite Him to restore broken relationships, fractured emotions, and areas of spiritual stagnation. Be made brand new.

2 Corinthians 5:17–18 (LSB)

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

2 Corinthians 5:20 (LSB)

20 So then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as God is pleading through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

God’s love makes us new, restoring what was broken. God’s restoration changes us from the inside out. And we can enjoy something that the world can never have.. peace

Romans 8:6 (LSB)

6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

God’s Spirit restores peace and purpose to our lives. A peace that will blow your mind but that just for the here and now there is more

4. God’s Love Brings Ultimate Restoration (vv. 12-13)

Psalm 85:12–13 (LSB)

12 Indeed, Yahweh will give what is good, And our land will yield its produce.

13 Righteousness will go before Him And will establish the way of His steps.

This imagery points to the ultimate restoration of all things—a world where righteousness reigns and God’s goodness is fully revealed.

While Christ’s first coming brought spiritual restoration, His second coming will bring the fullness of renewal to all creation.

Trust in God’s ongoing work of restoration. Live in hope, knowing His love is bringing all things to their perfect completion.

Revelation 21:3–4 (LSB)

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,

4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain. The first things passed away.”

Isaiah 65:17 (LSB)

17 “For behold, I am creating a new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come upon the heart.

2 Peter 3:13 (LSB)

13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

God’s ultimate restoration brings eternal peace and joy. And this is not limited to individuals—it transforms all creation. God’s love leads to the renewal of everything broken.

As we observe the second week of Advent, we recognize that salvation has already come for us through Christ, and we celebrate that we can now live in peace with God and bask in the peace of God while also looking forward to the final act of redemption he will bring to the world when Christ returns one day to establish his kingdom on earth.