Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb19971005.htm

PSALMS: DIARIES OF GODLY OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS
Psalm Eighty-Five - God's EFFECTIVE Motivation For A CONSISTENTLY Godly Walk
(Psalm 85:1-13)
  1. Introduction
    1. 1 John 1:8-10 reveals that every believer has lapses into sin, and we know from an abundance of Scriptures that such lapses produce a loss of blessing, cf. Deut. 28:15ff and Hebrews 12:6-11.
    2. However, if the believer would "judge himself" he would not be thus "judged" according to 1 Cor. 11:31. However, the question is, where can we get the MOTIVATION to watch ourselves so that we may enjoy a CONSISTENT walk in righteousness to enjoy God's CONSISTENT blessings?!
    3. Psalm 85:1-13 provides us with an effective answer as follows:
  2. God's EFFECTIVE Motivation For A CONSISTENTLY Godly Walk, Psalm 85:1-13.
    1. Throughout this psalm, there is a play on the Hebrew word shuv which is variously translated with its wealth of meanings as "restore," "turn," "revive" and "return" in verses 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8.
    2. Also, there is a play on the word "give" in verse 12 where God (Jahweh) "gives" what is good as the land "gives" its harvest!
    3. Putting these two observations together, we note that the psalm reveals an overwhelming VULNERABILITY the people of Israel faced in their livelihoods to the actions of God as follows:
      1. The psalmist revealed that God had shown favor to the land in "restoring" (shuv) Jacob's fortunes that had formerly been depleted, Ps. 85:1.
      2. This restoration had been based upon Israel's sins being forgiven her by the Lord when God had "turned" (shuv) from His fierce anger at those sins, Ps. 85:2-3.
      3. Accordingly, in the current era, the psalmist pleads to God to "restore" (shuv) Israel from current hardships of livelihood shortages, putting away His current wrath so that Israel migh be "revived" (shuv) from her state of depletion, Ps. 85:4-5, 6-7.
      4. In answer to this request, the psalmist decides to heed God's reply, Ps. 85:8a. God's answer is that Israel should not "return" (shuv) unto folly, Ps. 85:8b!
      5. The psalmist then draws a conclusion to this whole subject as follows:
        1. God's blessing is always near, always ready to be poured out upon His people, Ps. 85:9a.
        2. This fact is based upon the reality that as God's people are blessed, God's reputation is exalted, 9b!
        3. When God's people thus heed God, God's blessing and righteousness meet in agreement ("kiss"), and the faithfulness of God to His promises is pictured as springing out of the earth itself in the form of the land's harvest productions, P s. 85:10-11, 12.
        4. Thus, Israel's agricultural economy was directly related to God's influence so that if Israel expected to be blessed agriculturally, she had to be upright in pleasing the Source of such blessings, GOD!
Lesson: Divine blessing under the Mosaic Covenant was entirely dependent upon Israel's obeying God's Law. Disobedience brought sure calamity where obedience brought a reversal of such calamities. Thus, the KEY to STICKING to a righteous lifestyle was viewing one's WELFARE as being ENTIRELY and DIRECTLY VULNERABLE to GOD!

Application: (1) The more vulnerable the believer views his welfare to the sovereign will of God, the more he will respect Him and obey Him and THEREBY enjoy His blessings. Thus, concentrating on the VULNERABILITY of our WELFARE to GOD equips one to remain CONSISTENT in his walk, and thus avoid God's withdrawal of blessings! (2) On the other hand, the LESS vulnerable one views his welfare is in exposure to GOD'S workings, the LESS likely he is to remain vigilant in his walk in life, and the MORE OFTEN he will be "plastered" in trials that God allows in discipline! (3) If we are thus CONSISTENTLY getting "plastered" with trials, the FIRST matter of concern to check should be our DEGREE of RESPECT for our vulnerability to DIVINE ACCOUNTABILITY! If it is LOW, we had better raise it a whole lot! There may be OTHER causes for trouble (check Job's life), but that should be our FIRST area of examination!