Many of us have struggled through difficult times and painful days in years gone by. We recall with pleasure what God has done for us in the past with gratitude – knowing that it was His love, mercy and grace that enabled us to get through lengthy days and long nights. Because of those memories when He graciously lavished His love on us, we can if we chose to, view our future in, through, and with Him, with hope and optimism.
In Psalm 85 our author is apparently reflecting on a loss suffered by Israel in a military battle. They looked at their loss as punishment from God. But the Psalmist does not focus on the loss, he focuses on the fact that God has brought them out of captivity in the past, forgave them of their sins, and promised them a future. So with confidence and boldness he said, "Restore us again, O God, our Savior."
The message for us to take away from this Psalm is that in times of depression, defeat, and darkness, we must remember God's grace, gifts, and goodness in our past and pray in the present for His restoration and renewal in the present, as we face our future.
Sometimes when we look at our past and are overwhelmed with the guilt of our sins we are fearful of going to God and asking for “more forgiveness, please!” We feel that we are undeserving and unworthy. We approach His throne of grace in fear and trembling, wondering if we have any right to ask for more forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration.
But when these thoughts plague us, we must remember that God's judgment is always tempered by His love and mercy and He will always forgive us, restore us, and revive us again. Forgiveness is one prayer away, and always available when we ask for it!
Prayer: Help us, Father, to remember Your blessings in the past as we pass through the problems we face today. Surely, “My grace is sufficient for you.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Psalm 85:4a Restore us again, God our Savior,
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