Psalm 85: Don’t look back in anger

By Priscilla 

Psalm 85 (NIV) 


For a short while at school we had this weird end-of-year tradition. It involved writing terribly cheesy ditties in each other’s schoolbooks. Apart from the ‘Roses are red, violets are blue’ variety of poems that invariably surfaced, this was another one that would do the rounds:


Friendship is like chinaware
So delicate and rare
Once broken can be mended
But the cracks are always there.


For an 11-year-old, it was a pretty ominous poem to read – beware of hits and bumps in any relationship because you are NEVER going to recover from it.

I am so thankful that over the years since becoming a Christian God has shown me the power behind a Godly restoration.
It is one that says, “Behold I am a NEW creation, the old has GONE, and the new has come.”

None of this cracks and mending business - the old has well and truly GONE! We have been made brand NEW!

And this is applicable to anything – a new life in Christ, a marriage that has seen better days, a friendship that has gone pear-shaped, a sibling relationship that has soured – anything!

However Godly restoration requires willingness on our part too:


a) Knowing the truth that God forgives and that we need to forgive too.
(Vs 2 & 3)

You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.
You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.

b) God’s wrath is not permanent, and so ours should not be also
(Vs 4-6) 

Restore us again, God our Saviour,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?

c) Restoration requires a genuine, heartfelt repentance on our part (vs 7) 

Show us your unfailing love, Lord,
and grant us your salvation.

d) Staying close to God and His Word will keep us from pitfalls (vs 8)

I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.

e) Help is always at hand – whether through His word or Godly counsel (vs 9)

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.