Day #54 (Psalm 85 & 86) - "Longing for Renewal"

GATHERING
THE CALL | John 15:4-5 [ESV]
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

CONFESSION
Lord Jesus, you have called us to abide in you, but we confess that we are prone to wander astray. We could be fruitful branches, but instead we walk proudly in our own ways and wither. Forgive us for our wandering hearts and take and seal them for your courts above. Thank you that you are the true blessed man who walked in the way of righteousness (Psalm 128:1), even the way that led to the Cross. May we the Church, your beloved Bride, not wither, but be like fruitful branches of your vine, and may her spiritual children be many, like olive shoots around the table you have prepared for us (Psalm 128:3).

ASSURANCE | Isaiah 53:10-11 [ESV]
Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
    he has put him to grief; 
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
    he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
    make many to be accounted righteous,
    and he shall bear their iniquities.

SING: Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning
Is now and ever shall be world without end
Amen Amen

WORD
Read: Psalm 85
2nd Reading: Psalm 86 

(Ps 85:8-9)  
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
    but let them not turn back to folly.
Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
    that glory may dwell in our land.

Psalm 85 offers us the opportunity to think about some of similar themes as Psalm 84.  The psalm directs our desires toward renewal.  First, renewal of ourselves (v.4-7), then renewal of the whole land (v.10-12.)  In between, verses 8-9 include both ideas and form a transition.  As we read this psalm we are invited to enter into this prayer for renewal.  Personal renewal, and renewal for our land.  As we read the words and seek the Lord, this prayer can become ours increasingly.  

Part of our spiritual growth is not just to do the right things, or think the right things, but to desire the right things.  If we consider the things that Jesus said in the sermon on the mount, "Blessed our those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Not only reading, but prayerfully entering into the prayers of the psalm can be part of this transformative process. 

Oh Lord, that you would help us to love what is good and hate what is evil.  Make us people who hunger for the coming of your kingdom!  

ABIDING

SING

• Psalm 128 [recording] [chord sheet]

SENDING
LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, 
hallowed be your Name, 
your kingdom come, 
your will be done, 
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. 
And forgive us our debts, 
as we also have forgiven our debtors

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. 
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, 
Amen.

Revelation 7:9-10 [ESV]
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

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