By Ronald E.
George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church
Herbert had it backward when he wrote, "Where there is peace, God is." It is just the opposite. Where God is, there is peace. That's why Paul speaks of the God of peace (Philippians 4:9, Romans 16:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Thessalonians 3:16) and of the peace of God (Colossians 3:15, Philippians 4:7).
--
Robert C. Shannon, 1000 Windows, (Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing
Company, 1997
Scripture Text:
Psalm 85:1 (NIV) You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the
fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all
their sins. Selah 3 You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce
anger. 4 Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure
toward us. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger
through all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may
rejoice in you? 7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your
salvation. 8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to
his people, his saints-- but let them not return to folly. 9 Surely his
salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10
Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from
heaven. 12 The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its
harvest. 13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
1. When God
came down what did the psalmist see: The kiss.
See the favor to the people from the Lord.
He restores their fortunes in other words he gives them life abundantly.
He forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.
He set aside your all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.
He reminds the people and the Lord that He promises peace to God’s people or his saints,
The meeting was with God who is love and faithfulness. This is the love and faithfulness of the Lord as compared to the Love and Faithfulness of the people of the Lord.
Love and faithfulness meet together. Come together or along with and side by side.
Righteousness and peace kiss each other. Surely salvation is near those who rear him, why? So that God’s glory may dwell in our land.
Faithfulness springs up the earth or comes from the people of the earth.
Righteousness looks down from heaven.
Righteousness prepares the way as the Lord gives what is good and the land gives forth it’s harvest.
Peace and righteousness are closely related. What was peace to the psalmist?
Psalmists ask to be restored again and revived again. Why? So that the people may rejoice in the Lord.
2. What did the Psalmist ask for? What do you want for Christmas? What will you give for Christmas?
The Psalmist asks for God to restore us again. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger? Will you not revive us again? Show us your unfailing love? Grant us your salvation.
Psalmist asks for God’s unfailing love and salvation.
4 Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.but let them not return to their folly/sin.
Will you let the Lord restore and revive you this morning? Will you take the peace of the Lord into your life today?