Psalm 85: Restore Us Again!

Today’s reading is Psalm 85.

Have you been there? You committed sin. You came to your senses. You sought forgiveness. You enjoyed it. You praised God. Having experienced the grace and mercy of God, you doubled down and committed to serve Him even more faithfully from here on out.

Then you sinned again.

And I don’t mean found yourself in some other sin (though that would apply as well). I mean, you ended up right back where you were in that previously forgiven sin. In fact, not right back where you were. That almost never happens. No. This time, you are even deeper.

Now what?!

Enter Psalm 85. “Restore us again, O God of our salvation,” Korah’s son begs. God had forgiven Israel before (see vs. 2). He had removed His anger before (see vs. 3). He had been favorable and restored fortunes for Israel before (see vs. 1). But here they are again, in sin, under God’s wrath, needing God’s forgiveness, favor, and restoration again.

What does the psalmist do? He prays. He prays with confidence. On top of that, this is actually the second time the sons of Korah have been in this situation. As we noticed last week, Psalm 84 mirrors Psalms 42-43, separate from but longing for God. Psalm 85 mirrors Psalm 44. Both look at Israel’s repeated falls into sin and repeated need for God’s forgiveness, favor, and restoration.

Of course, neither of these psalms give permission to turn back to sin when God has forgiven us. But, please, see the permission to turn back to God when we have sinned. See the permission to turn back to God when it has been a return to sin. See the permission to turn back to God when it’s a sin that has been forgiven before. Don’t listen to the whispers of the enemy telling you to linger in your sins. Don’t listen to the whispers of the enemy telling you God won’t forgive and restore you.

If you have gone back into sin, turn back to God today. Seek His favor. Seek His restoration. He will provide.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 85.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

PATHS:
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How does Psalm 85 prompt or improve your praise of God?