Renewed Favor

Introduction

Because of our observant nature we can easily look at the world arround us and ge caught up in the disfunction, chaos, and darkness of our present moment. When this world becomes our lense of the reality of life the darkness and dispair begin to creep into our soul where the light of God seems to be swallowed.

Israel after their deliverance from BabylonIan captivity begin to experience this. There community is in disaray, the temple no longer shows the glory of the days of Solomon, the walls of Jerusalem are mere remnants of the great walls of King David. While they celebrate their deliverance from Babylon they begin to feel the weight of their situation pressing in but a prayer rings forth from this place of darkness and dispair , “God you have done it before you can do it again.”

The Psalmist records just such a prayer. In desperation he acknowledges God’s Faithfulness in the past.

Psalm 85:

You, Lord, SHOWED favor to your land;

you RESTORED the fortunes of Jacob. You FORGAVE the iniquity of your people and COVERED all their sins.[b] You set aside all your wrath and TURNED from your fierce anger.

*The Turning Point of What God has Done to what God Can do now

RESTORE us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you not REVIVE us again, that your people may rejoice in you? SHOW us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

I will listen to what God the Lord says; he PROMISES peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. SURELY his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

THE LORD WILL INDEED GIVE WHAT IS GOOD, AND OUR LAND WILL YIELD ITS HARVEST. RIGHTEOUSNESS GOES BEFORE HIM AND PREPARES THE WAY FOR HIS STEPS.