Sermon Central
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What God Has Done Series
Contributed by Rodney Burton on Jan 29, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Psalm 85 looks at what God has done for us and what God desires to do for us. In part 1 of this 3 part series, we look at God’s restoration and divine favor upon His people.
Psalm 85 -- We Must Remember and Anticipate
*Written by the Sons of Korah, a talented musical family. The Sons of Korah are credited with having written 11 Psalms. Psalm 85 is believed to have been written after the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon, most likely during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. They were, however, also under some distress from their neighbors. Psalm 85 falls into the category of A Psalm of Prayer and Supplication. These Psalms include laments and petitions to God, longings for God, and intercession on behalf of God’s people.
PART 1: What God Has Done: Thanksgiving to God for restoration to the Divine favor.
WE SOMETIMES ARE QUICK TO FORGET HOW GOOD GOD HAS BEEN TO US. WHAT THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IN THE MIDST OF DIFFICULTY. THIS PSALM WAS WRITTEN IN THE TENSION OF GOOD TIMES/ANTICIPATION AND DIFFICULTY/FRUSTRATION. THE BEST WAY TO APPROACH DIFFICULTY SOMETIMES IS BY REMEMBERING HOW GOOD GOD HAS BEEN TO US.
1. Showed favor to the land.
a. God has been good and has made the land acceptable and good.
b. We are a blessed nation, because of the goodness of God. God acts on our behalf out of His love for us.
c. The problems in our nation have been in direct correlation to our turning from God.
d. God has provided good things for us.
2. Restored the fortunes of His people.
a. This refers to His bringing them back from a place of captivity.
b. Israel can rejoice in that God set them free and delivered them from the land and the hand of the enemy.
c. God not only has brought people into physical or temporal freedom, He has also done so for us spiritually.
3. Forgave the iniquity of His people.
a. We should be thankful that God’s forgiveness is not just a one time shot.
b. God is loving and forgiving toward us at all times, and in an ongoing manner.
c. Without forgiveness we have no hope.
4. Covered the sins of His people.
a. God doesn’t forget our sin; He chooses to not remember them which is an even greater and more powerful thing.
b. The blood of Jesus is powerful enough in one moment to fully cover all sin and unrighteousness.
5. Set aside His wrath and turned from His fierce anger.
a. The removal of sin will bring the removal of God’s anger.
b. God paves the way for His pleasure by forgiving and covering our sin.
c. God is pacified when we are purified.
