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1 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. 3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. 4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. 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. (Psalm 85 NRSV)
Yesterday's devotional from Hosea spoke of the anger God had towards Israel's unfaithfulness and thus the marriage of Hosea to the wayward Gomer. Such an unthinkable act was based on the constant wayward behavior of Israel towards other gods. The picture painted towards the end of God's favor towards His people showed a world full of darkness and gloom. The three children of that marriage reflected the anger on God's part. Today's psalm comes as a notice that God does not stay angry, especially when God sees the repentance of His people take positive steps towards faithfulness. The psalmist rejoices the favor of God upon His people once again. Fortunes and Forgiveness were showered upon the people, and the cry now is for salvation to be restored to the land. The psalmist knows to cry out to God with reminders of His steadfast love, asking God to bring His glory back to the land. Verse 10 rings true: "Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet' righteousness and peace will kiss each other." A wonderful picture of what happens when God's kingdom comes on the earth as we pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." God's steadfast love and faithfulness to us come together when God is present, and righteousness on our part and the peace that comes with it brings us the complete blessing.
What part of your life lacks the presence, peace, and power of God? Imagine the color and imagery of the above picture and just begin either erasing or painting certain areas with red, and you will begin to see that area of your life that you have not yet turned over to God. With God present in our lives, there is light and a brilliance that seems to scream joy and life; anything else whimpers the dying voice of unrighteousness and turmoil. That awesomeness of God is just an ask away.
PRAYER: Awesome God, pour out of every area of life that does not yet belong to You, and pour in those areas Your power, peace, and love. Let me serve You in great ways today and all days, This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Bring brillance into someone's life today, use words if necessary.
Blessings of love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
