I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly.
--Psalm 85:8 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on May 4, 2013 of Psalm 85; Mark 8:14-26; Judges 17-18.
Korah was a Levite who joined with two other house leaders to rebel against Moses in the wilderness. God showed His displeasure and punished them. He made the earth to open up and swallow them, their families, those who followed them, and all their possessions (please see Numbers 16:1-35). The sons of Korah, with twelve psalms dedicated to or authored by them, were descendants of Korah and singers in the Temple choir (please see 2 Chronicles 20:19). Some of the more beautiful yet sad poems in the psalms are attributed to them.
Psalm 85 was written during a period of setbacks in the fortunes of the house of Jacob. It opens with a recalling of how good God has been in the past (verses 1 through 3), asks for help during the current time of distress (verses 4 through 7), and then provides reassurance of a coming deliverance (verses 8 through 13). Today's verse is among this last set and talks about a time in the indefinite but possibly near future when peace will be restored to the children of Israel. It is interesting to note that the psalmists include the saints as co-recipients of God's peace, perhaps indicating that even those who separate themselves from the world to follow and serve God also suffered from the turmoil of the times. But the most telling phrase is the last, a warning that the people "not turn back to folly". Unfortunately, the people of Israel had a bad habit of doing just that. When times got tough, they turned to God and begged for His help and His mercy. Then He would relent and deliver them from their woe. And after a while, once the good times returned, they would start ignoring the Lord again and go back to idolatry and just doing their own thing. The psalmists caution that peace can be theirs if they just break that cycle and remain true to God.
The Bible, and especially the Book of Revelation, sadly informs us that peace will be but a fleeting prospect throughout our earthly lives. There will be wars and rumors of wars. Brother will turn against brother just as they have done since Cain first lifted a hand against Abel. Conflict and strife will be a present part of this world and will affect all people, including the saints among us. Yet God still speaks peace to us, still promises deliverance from all this turmoil. After one final grand battle, Jesus will reign victorious over all the earth and peace, His true peace, will descend upon us all. For now, though, we must remain strong and faithful, and not go back to the folly of our ways before our rebirth in Christ. God speaks peace. We must hear and listen. Amen.
God of all creation, You know what lies ahead for us, collectively and individually. You know that we can have peace some day, when Your Son returns to defeat the evil one and bring heaven down to earth. You only ask that we remain faithful and true to You and to Christ Jesus. May we listen to Your words, Lord, so we can receive Your peace along with Your saints. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Psalm 85 was written during a period of setbacks in the fortunes of the house of Jacob. It opens with a recalling of how good God has been in the past (verses 1 through 3), asks for help during the current time of distress (verses 4 through 7), and then provides reassurance of a coming deliverance (verses 8 through 13). Today's verse is among this last set and talks about a time in the indefinite but possibly near future when peace will be restored to the children of Israel. It is interesting to note that the psalmists include the saints as co-recipients of God's peace, perhaps indicating that even those who separate themselves from the world to follow and serve God also suffered from the turmoil of the times. But the most telling phrase is the last, a warning that the people "not turn back to folly". Unfortunately, the people of Israel had a bad habit of doing just that. When times got tough, they turned to God and begged for His help and His mercy. Then He would relent and deliver them from their woe. And after a while, once the good times returned, they would start ignoring the Lord again and go back to idolatry and just doing their own thing. The psalmists caution that peace can be theirs if they just break that cycle and remain true to God.
The Bible, and especially the Book of Revelation, sadly informs us that peace will be but a fleeting prospect throughout our earthly lives. There will be wars and rumors of wars. Brother will turn against brother just as they have done since Cain first lifted a hand against Abel. Conflict and strife will be a present part of this world and will affect all people, including the saints among us. Yet God still speaks peace to us, still promises deliverance from all this turmoil. After one final grand battle, Jesus will reign victorious over all the earth and peace, His true peace, will descend upon us all. For now, though, we must remain strong and faithful, and not go back to the folly of our ways before our rebirth in Christ. God speaks peace. We must hear and listen. Amen.
God of all creation, You know what lies ahead for us, collectively and individually. You know that we can have peace some day, when Your Son returns to defeat the evil one and bring heaven down to earth. You only ask that we remain faithful and true to You and to Christ Jesus. May we listen to Your words, Lord, so we can receive Your peace along with Your saints. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment