Revive Us Again

“Wilt thou not revive us again that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?” (Psalm 85:6)

How many times have we asked God to restore us to the right place of living from which we have fallen—again? We, our nation, need reviving. But before that can happen, we must repent—acknowledge our wrong-doing, turn away from it and go back to where we left God.

We want God’s grace, forgiveness, and favor. Making promises to God in exchange for a desirable answer to a need is unnecessary; God only wants a sincere, repentant heart. But when we do, He holds us accountable to keep our word. I wonder how many promises people made to be a better person on that dreadful day, 9/11? How many vows have people made on behalf of a loved one or for oneself, pleading for God’s intervention in life or His healing touch? God takes the words of our mouth, which are as a vow, seriously. We want God to revive us so we once again can rejoice in His presence, but will we live rightly before Him when He does?

As the psalmist turned to God for mercy and forgiveness on behalf of His chosen people, he said he would carefully listen and do whatever God instructed. He was confident of God’s love for His people, trusting what God required was right for their best. But he also knew the danger of returning to their former wicked and foolish ways, of which God would forgive (v. 8).

When we confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive and restore. We, like the psalmist, can be confident God wants what’s best for us. But we would be wise to heed the warning Jesus gave the paralyzed man healed from his bed-ridden state: “Behold, thou are made whole: sin no more, lest a worst thing come unto thee” (John 5:14). Jesus, knowing the man’s sins that led to his infirmity, told him if he repeated them, he would suffer worse consequences—a dire warning for us individually, God’s Church, and as a nation.