You Have Been Favorable to Your Land

Psalm 85

Background• Of the Sons of Korah

• Probably written after Judah’s return from Babylonian captivity, yet before the building of the temple OR walls of Jerusalem

Vs. 1-3, God’s favor delivered• Lord, You have been

favorable to Your land…

• Consider brief history of Israel and Judah and captivity.Judah was in captivity from 606-536 BC

Vs. 1-3, God’s favor delivered• You have found favor…

• God still loved them, in spite of their conduct.

• You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people – God fully forgives – Ac. 22:16, Heb. 10:17

Vs. 1-3, God’s favor delivered• You have taken away all Your

wrath…and turned from anger

• Judah’s condition changed overnight cf. Dan. 5:30-31, Ezra 1:1-4

• His anger subsided

Vs. 4-7, Restoration & Revival• Restore us, O God…cause

Your anger to cease

• Again, consider the history of Judah, cf. Ezra 5:1-2, etc.

• They still needed TRUE repentance – so do we!

Vs. 4-7, Restoration & Revival• Cause Your anger to cease…

• Why was He still angry? Haggai 1:3-8

• Restore, or return – a need to return to previous state.Sins does damage with consequences

Vs. 4-7, Restoration & Revival• Will you not revive us again?

• To restore back to health

• Was revival possible? Yes! But they needed to do their part cf. Psa. 119:25, 37, 149, 156, 159

• Do WE need revival?

Vs. 8-9, Remain faithful• I will hear what the Lord will

speak…peace for all His saints

• A true heart! A desire to hear the Lord Habakkuk 2:1

• Do we respect His word? Psa. 119:105

Vs. 8-9, Remain faithful• Let them not turn back to

folly…

• A challenge to remain faithful – Luke 9:62, 2 Pet. 2:20-22

Vs. 8-9, Remain faithful• His salvation is near those

who fear Him…

• While we seek to cast out fear (1 John 4:18), we must NEVER diminish the importance of respect for God

Vs. 10-13, God is on our side• Mercy and truth have met

together; righteousness and peace have kissed

• Mercy and peace come from God

• Truth and righteousness part of our conduct

• They will prevail

Vs. 10-13, God is on our side• The Lord will give what is

good…His footsteps our pathway

• Blessings come when we make Him our king!

Vs. 10-13, God is on our side• NOTICE how the traits of God

and man’s obedience complement each other

• Let us learn this as His children, AND as a nation – Prov. 14:34

Do we seek His restoration in

our lives?