Prepared Steps

O. T. #1288  "Prepared Steps"
Sept. 19, 2018
Psalm 85

LET IT GLOW


If you are like me, you semi plan out your week. When considering what work needs to be accomplished, I decide which day I will go to work in our shop. I make notes as to when I will be picking up our granddaughter after school to help out her parents. And then, there are church activities, family things, and household duties to fit into my schedule. I try to have my steps prepared, but then, I have learned to be flexible for interruptions, ways to serve the Lord and others, too. How about you?

The psalmist reviews the past mercy of God in verses 1-3; recognizes the present anger of God in verses 4-7; and the revelation of God's future salvation of Israel in verses 8-13.  The Jews have experienced tribulation down through the ages: in Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Russia, Rome, Germany, and elsewhere. These cannot compare to the Great Tribulation to come in Revelation 12.

His prayer begins with recalling what the Lord had done to Israel:

• favorable and blessings poured out,
• brought them back from captivity,
• forgave and covered their sins,
• taken away His wrath,
• turned away from His fierce anger. (verses 1-3)

Lydia Brownback wrote in her book, Sing a New Song, A Woman's Guide to the Psalms, explains:

When we turn from God to sin, He doesn't sit idly by and hope we get our spiritual act together. Instead, He allows us to suffer, sometimes by withholding something we need or by allowing us to fall into inescapably difficult circumstances. His intention is to get us to recognize our sin as sin so that we turn from it and back to Him.  

Are we allowing God to use us in helping others to come to grips with their sin and come back to God?

LET IT GROW

Next, the psalmist asks God to restore and revive Israel, His children. Verse 7 (NLT) says, Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

Then he listened carefully to what God is saying: peace to His faithful people and let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, so their land would be filled with His glory.

What four spiritual qualities characterize the future king, King Jesus? Verse 10  says it all:
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

1. God's unfailing love (mercy);
2. truth;
3. righteousness (obedience to God, being right with Him);
4. peace.

The Prince of Peace and the King of Righteousness will come as Isaiah 11:12 prophesied. It is during His one thousand year reign of Christ that world peace will exist. The roads will lead to Jerusalem, not anywhere else, as the King rules from there. What will prepare the way for His steps? Righteousness will.

Order my steps in Thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. (Ps. 119:133)

So let us keep the faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.

LET IT GO

I need unfailing favor, peace, truth.
Help me obey Your Word today.
Jesus, You are my Prince of Peace and King of Righteousness.
Prepare my steps with Your righteousness.