by Mary Johnson
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin.
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12 The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him,
and will make a path for his steps.
As I think about the country we live in, I see wonderful blessings. We have been blessed with a land that produces more food than we can use. There has been prosperity for everyone. I believe the prosperity and all of the blessings that this land has experienced is because the blessings of God have been upon us. If we take a close look at our nation now, it appears that some are out of fellowship with God. Our land is filled with crime of every type. There seem to be no answers to these problems. Maybe the real reason for our problems is that God’s blessings have been removed. Some people are out of fellowship with God. The Israelites would get into a mess like what we have today, and they would repent and pray to God for His blessings to be returned. Perhaps we need to do the same.
This Psalm suggests that we spend time in prayer listening to God’s words and promises of peace. Love one another. God’s salvation is near, no matter what our difficulties and distresses are. This Psalm ends with these comforting words: “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.”