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July 23, 2019

Restored

Bo Prosser   |   Read Psalm 85:1-7

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Lectionary Week
July 22–28, 2019
Scripture Overview

Hosea can be a difficult book. This prophet is called to live with an unfaithful wife as an image of how Israel is unfaithful to God. Yet even in this initial statement of judgment, God includes a promise of restoration. Psalm 85 appeals to God’s steadfast love. God has become angry with the people for their unfaithfulness, and the people appeal for God’s mercy, which they are confident they will receive. The Colossians reading warns against replacing or even supplementing the simple truth of the gospel with human wisdom, religious rules, or anything else. We have fellowship with Christ through our faith. Jesus teaches us to ask God for what we need and for what we want just as we would ask a human parent.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Hosea 1:2-10. How is God reminding you of your covenant relationship?
Read Psalm 85. When have you needed to pray for restoration in your life? in your relationships with family and friends? in your relationship with God?
Read Colossians 2:6-19. Paul teaches us the value of community. How has your community restored you as you seek to be like Christ?
Read Luke 11:1-13. How has praying regularly changed you? If you do not pray regularly, start a practice now. Look for the ways it changes you.

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 85:1-7

1 LORD, you’ve been kind to your land; you’ve changed Jacob’s circumstances for the better. 2 You’ve forgiven your people’s wrongdoing; you’ve covered all their sins. Selah 3 You’ve stopped being furious; you’ve turned away from your burning anger. 4 You, the God who can save us, restore us! Stop being angry with us! 5 Will you be mad at us forever? Will you prolong your anger from one generation to the next? 6 Won’t you bring us back to life again so that your people can rejoice in you? 7 Show us your faithful love, LORD! Give us your salvation!

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Restore us, O God! The more things change, the more the refrain stays the same. The psalmist yearns for a return to past glories. The psalmist remembers (perhaps accurately, perhaps not) a time when God overlooked, pardoned, and forgave the iniquities of the people.

The words of this psalm could...

God, forgive me when I try to manipulate you. Forgive me when I forsake your present glory for memories of the past. Help me, O God, to rejoice in you. Amen.


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