What does "revive us again" in Psalm 85:6 reveal about God's character? Living Context of Psalm 85 • Psalm 85 records Israel’s return from exile, a time when the land lay desolate and hearts were weary. • Verses 1-5 celebrate God’s past mercies; verse 6 turns to a fresh plea: “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?”. • The word “revive” (Hebrew chayah) means “cause to live,” conveying literal restoration of life, land, and spiritual vitality. What “Revive Us Again” Tells Us about God • He is the Life-Giver – “I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life.” (Ezekiel 37:5) – Only the Creator can re-infuse life; the psalm assumes His sovereign power over both body and spirit. • He is Constantly Merciful – Past forgiveness (vv. 1-3) is proof that He will act again; His mercies “are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). • He Desires Joy for His People – Revival leads to rejoicing “in You,” showing that God’s goal is restored, God-centered gladness, not mere relief. • He Is Faithful to Covenant Promises – “After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up” (Hosea 6:1-2). The psalmist counts on the unchanging promises God made to Abraham and David. • He Draws Near to the Contrite – “To revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15) – His holiness does not distance Him; it propels Him toward repentant hearts. • He Acts in History, Not Merely Symbolically – The plea is for tangible, national renewal—evidence that Scripture’s declarations are factual, not figurative alone. How God Carries Out Revival 1. Forgiveness of Sin (Psalm 85:2-3) – cleansing precedes new life. 2. Restoration of Favor – the lifting of discipline shows relational repair. 3. Outpouring of His Presence – “Righteousness and peace kiss” (v. 10), indicating God dwelling among His people. 4. Renewal of the Land – “Our land will yield its harvest” (v. 12) ties spiritual revival to physical blessing. 5. Awakening Joy – “Your people may rejoice in You” (v. 6) completes the cycle; joy is both fruit and evidence of true revival. Snapshots from Scripture Showing the Same Heart • 2 Chronicles 7:14 – He heals a humbled nation. • Habakkuk 3:2 – He revives His work even in judgment. • Psalm 34:18 – He is near to broken hearts. These passages echo Psalm 85: God loves to restore what sin and sorrow have drained. Our Response to the Reviving God • Receive His forgiveness with gratitude, never doubting its completeness. • Rejoice deliberately in Him, knowing joy is part of His purpose. • Walk in renewed obedience, confident that the God who revives also sustains. |
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