Revive Us Again
April 1, 2022 lovingkindness, mercy, peace No Comments“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Ps. 85:6). This is a plea for God to restore the joy through spiritual renewal and revival.
Ps. 85 has no attribution. The main idea of restoration of God’s people due to the mercies of the LORD is captivating. Renewal comes through the mercies of the LORD. The whole Psalm heralds a greater revival under the reign of the Messiah.
Keep your eye on God. God acts in behalf of His people and so is able to renew them in spiritual ways with His mercy, truth, righteousness and peace. When God’s people are undone, estranged by their sins, only He can revive them.
See What God Hath Done
God has been favourable unto their land. He has brought back the captivity of Judah. He has forgiven the iniquity of the people. He has covered all their sin. He has taken away all His wrath. He has turned from the fierceness of His anger (Ps. 85:1-3). Revival is dependent upon the mercies of the LORD. Where God is, there is hope. God is everywhere at all times and so His people are never without hope. The hopeless are Godless (destitute of God, Eph. 2:12).
The Ernest Plea of God’s People
The plea for mercy is recorded in Ps. 85:4-7. Turn us, O God of our salvation. God’s chastisement turns the people back to Him. If they turn to God, God will turn away from His wrath. Our trials frequently arise out of our own sins. These sins are self-inflicted wounds. However, we can change course or direction and end up at a different destination. Movement in God’s direction brings His mercies to us. Wilt thou be angry forever? Is there no boundary to God’s wrath? Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou revive us again? God will return in all of His power to save and to restore the joy. Joy follows revival. Joy follows repentance. Joy follows restoration. Revive us, O LORD, that we may rejoice in Thee!
The Goodness of God Brings Peace
In Ps. 85:8-13, God’s peace is restored. Sin agitates the soul. Through God’s mercy, truth and righteousness, peace can be realized. The perfections of God act together to bless. Mercy and truth are a powerful combination for revival. Truth guides the soul while mercy heals it. Righteousness and peace kiss. This is another powerful combination. Righteousness preserves relationship with God and prevents backsliding. Through mercy, truth, and righteousness there is peace with God. Peace is the cessation of enmity between humanity and God that results in the tranquility of soul that fears nothing from God, but basks in His grace. It is contentment (I shall not want). It is satisfaction (lying down in green pastures beside still waters). It is the result of the pursuit of the pathway of righteousness. It is fearlessness in the face of death because of God’s presence and power. It is abundant provision from God in the face of the enemy. It is God’s goodness and mercy in pursuit of us for a lifetime. It culminates in the hope that we will dwell with God forever (Ps. 23). A beautiful metaphor captures the essence of the the spiritual realities. The earth yielding flowers of truth. The heavens shining with stars of holiness. The spheres mirroring each other’s beauties. This is the beauty of God- His mercy, truth, righteousness and peace.
First, there is trouble. Sin interrupts and separates us from God. Then, there is God! See what God hath done. The plea for mercy is answered. When we turn away from our iniquities and God returns to us in the fullness of His glory and goodness, then, through His mercy, truth, and righteousness, we have peace. The joy has been restored!