Hope's Foundation

Many of us have struggled through difficult times and painful days. We recall with pleasure what God has done in the past with gratitude – knowing that it was His mercy and grace that enabled us to get through lengthy days and long nights. Because of those memories, we now base our hope in Him that He will shepherd us through dark valleys and sunless days.

In Psalm 85 our author is apparently reflecting on a loss suffered by Israel in a military battle. They looked at their loss as punishment from God. But the Psalmist does not focus on the loss, he focuses on the fact that God has brought them out of captivity in the past and forgave them of their sins. With confidence and boldness he says, "Restore us again, O God, our Savior."

The message for us to take away from this Psalm is that in times of depression, defeat and darkness we must remember God's grace in the past and pray in the present for His restoration.

Sometimes when we look at our past and are buried with the guilt of our sins we are fearful of going to God and asking for His grace. We feel that we are undeserving and unworthy. We approach His throne of grace in fear and trembling, wondering if we have any right to ask for forgiveness, cleansing and restoration.

But when these thoughts plague us, we must remember that God's judgment is always tempered by His mercy and He will always forgive us, restore us and revive us again. Forgiveness is always available when we ask for it!

Prayer: Help us, Father, to remember Your blessings in the past as we pass through the problems we face today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 85:4a Restore us, O God of our salvation,