Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the Psalm.
Tap Here for a video meditation on Psalm 85.
[From the version for young people]
Verb tenses mix in an interesting way in this prayer. It begins with the past tense. Notice how many times the past tense is used in the first three verses. There’s a look at the future tense in three questions about God’s anger with the hope that God will revive His people again.
Then, beginning with verse 6, there is mixture of past and present tenses as the psalmist gets in touch with how active God is in saving us. There is a beautiful image of union as the writer pictures righteousness and peace kissing each other. Just as a kiss is a spiritual blending of two persons, so do these two virtues come together into a new and powerful unity. There is no real peace without righteousness—meaning justice—and there is no justice without peace.
Catch the spiritual warmth in this psalm that seeks to become one with your own inner feelings. Let in all this love and grace from God. Jot down a few notes of what you are feeling and thinking in the course of your time of prayer.
[From the original version]
Only God has the power to restore. The exiled Israelites now receive the promise of restoration. For those exiled from life with the Lord, the power of the Lord is there to bring back total union. Find comfort in this.
The Lord speaks peace as he does in John’s Gospel, chapter 14, v. 27. Know how absolute is the Lord’s forgiveness and God’s desire that intimacy be restored for you. There are verses in this psalm that you will surely want to lift up, write down and place where you can see them often. Taste and eat these words of life that God has offered for you.
What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Righteousness and peace will kiss v.10
We follow a reading of the Psalms in numerical order.
For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook. You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information
The Bible Through the Seasons 