

Psalm 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.
The opening verses of this psalm are a plea to God for forgiveness: "Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away Your indignation toward us!" (Psalm 85:4) Surely God will confirm His steadfast love for His people. He had forgiven and restored them in the past, but will He do so again? What will the Lord say? Will He be angry with them forever? Will He speak words of condemnation? No, the Lord's response is absolutely certain: "Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints."
We also wait to hear what God the Lord will speak. We sin against God, turning away from His Word and His will for us to follow our own sinful desires. We confess our sins, but then we may wonder what will happen next. Will He be angry or will He forgive us? With the assurance expressed in this psalm, we can be certain of what He will say. We have seen the steadfast love of God confirmed in Christ Jesus because "all the promises of God, find their Yes in Him" (2 Corinthians 1:20a). We hear and read about God's steadfast love in the Scriptures. We have seen His plan of salvation unfold through the ages, revealed in His Word. We know and believe that Jesus came to suffer, die, and rise to save us. In Baptism, we are buried with Jesus and raised to new life, born anew as children of God. During worship we confess our sins and hear God's gracious Word of forgiveness spoken in the absolution. In the Lord's Supper we receive the precious gift of Jesus' body and blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of our sins.
God forgives us for the sake of Jesus our Savior. We have heard Him "speak peace" to us. After hearing His wonderful word of peace, we pray that we will not "turn back to folly." Strengthened by God's forgiveness and assured of His love, we seek in the power of the Holy Spirit to "bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3:8). We walk in Jesus' footsteps, even when the way is hard, even as we must take up the cross and follow Him. It is a difficult burden, but a burden to be carried with confident trust because we do not have to wonder what God the Lord will speak. In Christ Jesus, we have already heard Him and we will hear Him again. He will speak peace to His people, to His saints.
WE PRAY: Lord God, through Jesus my Savior You have blessed me with forgiveness and peace. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. If Jesus prayed to the Father (see John 17), why does it make sense for us to pray, too?
2. How does praying to God help center your life and keep you mindful of His promises?
3. Do you have a routine for your prayer time? Do you think this would be helpful to you?
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Kings 4-6 James 2
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