Psalm 85

A Bible Devotion from Psalm 85

The Lord will Give what is Good

8 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. 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.

12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.
Psalm 85:8-9 and 12-13, NKJV

Did you ever think about how your actions or beliefs affect the people around you? Did you ever think about how your actions may affect the nation you live in? It's a rather unpopular view today, but we must remember that God is truly in control.

In the 85th Psalm the Psalmist is recounting God's favor for His people by bringing them back from captivity. But, why were they in captivity? Much of the Old Testament is filled with the Israelites' obedience, disobedience, obedience again, disobedience again, etc. In times of sin and disobedience God sent prophets to warn the people that as judgment for their sin, He would send other nations in to conquer them.

Finally after years of their continually falling into sin, God sent the Babylonians and the Assyrians in to conquer Israel and to carry off most of the people into captivity. In this Psalm the Lord has returned the Israelites to their own land. The Psalmist here correctly knows that it is God alone who they must turn to for mercy and help.

God loves His people; but He also uses punishment much as we would for our children. We do not punish them because we are angry, but because we are trying to direct them in the right way to go. He is also not slack in giving us good things. Those good things don't always just mean more money or things for ourselves, but the whole land increases its yield, and God makes His footsteps our pathway.

Pray today that you would be aware of God's presence today as He makes His footsteps your pathway; be sure to thank Him for it, too.

Next: Psalm 86 - I Am Holy

More Devotions on the 85th Psalm from my blog, Daily Bible Devotions

None Beside Thee, verses 1-3

Turn Us, verses 4-7

All Good, verses 8-9

Mercy, Truth, Righteousness, and Peace, verses 10-13