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. – Psalm 85:8
Go in the theater of your mind to Jerusalem. The year is 538 B.C., and you are among a group of Israelites that the Persian King Cyrus has allowed to return to Jerusalem after having been in exile for 70 years. It has taken you at least three months to make the return trip, and when you got there, you found your beautiful city and its temple in ruins. People living in the region were hostile toward you, so your first order of business, under Nehemiah, was to rebuild the broken walls meant to protect the city. Your life, and even your faith, had been shaken. Then the day came when all the people were gathered and Ezra, the scribe, brought out the scrolls that contained the Law of Moses, and he began to read (Nehemiah 8:1-12). It was as though God were speaking directly to you, and in the middle of the reading, you began to feel a sense of peace. You just knew that God was going to restore His people.
Many theologians believe that the Psalm that holds today’s verse was written after the return of the exiles from Babylon. The people were seeking God’s peace – His shalom. Richard Neil Donovan, former Army Chaplain and author of the Sermon Writer series, said, “Peace (Shalom) involves the kind of tranquility that comes from knowing who you are and where you come from. It involves the kind of prosperity that arises, not from an accumulation of material possessions, but from a thankful spirit. It involves the kind of security that comes from the faith that God loves you and will provide for your needs.”
The key to today’s verse is at its beginning—“Let me hear.” Although there may be periods in the life of a believer when it seems as though God is silent, those are the times for you to be quiet and wait on Him (Psalm 62:5). When you have an established relationship with the all-knowing, all-loving God, you know that you can place everything in His hands. And, as the worship chorus says, “Even when I don’t see it, You’re working.” Let the reality of His presence comfort you, and receive His peace in every breath you take.
Today’s Verse: Psalm 85:8
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 85
Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 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.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
