July 31, 2018 - God created this universe and the people within it. He gives life to all things which have life and makes all to grow and prosper in him.
Just as God dealt favorably with the ancient Israelites so too will he deal favorably with us of today. If only we will allow him to do so.
“Lord you were favorable to your land, you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people, you covered all their sin. you withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.” (Psalm 85:1-3)
Yes, time after time as the people of Israel turned away from God, turning to idols and gods of wood and gold, God forgave their wicked acts and works of the devil.
With the death of Jesus on the cross he is now able to forgive the sins of all mankind, Jew and Gentile alike. Making justice and grace available to all who will simply ask for it.
Jesus took all the anger and wrath of God upon himself on that cross and paid through his suffering the price of salvation for all people.
Allowing us to say today with complete confidence; “Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!” (Psalm 85:4)
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85:6)
We can come humbly before God each day in prayer to him; seeking his face, his fellowship and his forgiveness for our unjust and offensive disobedience to him. As with the Israelites of old, he has unparalleled patience showing us his grace and mercy even though we could never earn either grace nor mercy on our own, only through the gift of Jesus’ love can we receive it.
We call out to him, asking for him to once again show us mercy when we pray; “Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.” (Psalm 85:7)
We can have all confidence that God will grant us salvation because of what he tells us when he says; “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
God shows no preference for Jew or Gentile, offering salvation for all who will follow his directions for salvation.
But, salvation does require that one confesses with his mouth and believes in his heart; “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
No matter the earthly status of any man or woman, all have fallen short of God’s glory and must come humbly before him, asking for salvation through the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross of Calvary. His salvation awaits all who will receive it.
“Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.” (Psalm 85:9)
Yes, salvation awaits all who will ask and receive for; “Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.” (Psalm 85:11) Salvation depends on our faithfulness as God looks down on us, waiting for our call to him.
“Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.” (Psalm 85:12-13)
Trust in the Lord and honor him and all things will be provided to you…
