Third Sunday in Advent: Psalm, Psalm 85                      

Psalm 85

Invariably to be an Israelite during the days of the Old Covenant, was to be tied to the land. And very possibly the attachment has increased in our lifetimes, not lessened. A fraction of “the children of Abraham” live in the land of Israel today, but numbers returning there increase annually and it is the desire of many true Jews to celebrate their Passover “next year in Jerusalem.” I wonder if love for their “promised land” stems all the way back to our first parents and their initial abode in a garden. It was a place that had everything to live and thrive. And the Lord was present.

In the songs of Israel there are many references to the land and the faith of God’s people that He would bless them there. This week’s Psalm begins, “LORD, you were favorable to your land” (Ps. 85:1). Then comes references to God forgiving His people’s sins, the withdrawal of His wrath and hot anger. That sounds good to me. And it sounded good to the Israelites, too.

Although like God’s people today, knowing and even receiving God’s promises doesn’t guarantee our behavior, the Old Testament people of God were aware of what it meant to return to the Lord in repentance and faith. And they knew the source was the word of the LORD: “Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak to his people” (Ps. 85:8a).

Upon responding to God’s kindness in leading them to repentance (again and again), the children of Israel knew God would show His goodness at least partially in the condition of the land (their dwelling place). Having a sure place to land our feet gave them, and gives us stability and courage.

Call upon the name of Jesus, our Lord today, and know that you also will have a wonderful place to stand: “Surely he is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land” (Ps. 85:9).