GOD PROVIDE SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
BIBLE PORTION:
Psalm 85
INTRODUCTION:
This Psalm was composed by the descendants of Korah, who were skilled musicians and Levites from the Kohath family. They were known for their musical contributions during King David's rule at the Jerusalem Temple.
The psalm, believed to have been composed around 520 BCE following the liberation from the Babylonian captivity, encapsulates the collective lament and prayer of a community grappling with the aftermath of their exile. The prayerful tone of the text mirrors the profound spiritual upheaval experienced by the community, serving as a crucial tool for communal healing and restoration. This psalm, dividing the discussion into three distinct sections to explore the various thematic elements and significance embedded within its verses.
1.Verses 1-4: The Psalmist thanks God for His deeds.
2. Verses 5-7: Even though we come from captivity, we cannot fully experience God's deliverance.
3. Verses 8-13: Even though we may not feel God's deliverance, we believe that God will surely give us complete deliverance.
In the Bible, the history of the people who went to prison is clearly recorded. But data on the status of non-captivity abandoned populations is unclear. But theologians suggest that their life is not in good condition. The recovery from the Babylonian captivity restored the condition of the exiled people and the abandoned people in Judea. As a whole, this psalm serves as a powerful narrative of God's deliverance for the people of Israel and offers reassurance that the divine protector will continue to guide them towards a brighter future.
This morning, as we begin our day, let us meditate on the profound freedom that God bestowed on the people of Israel,contemplating the hope that He lovingly provided to guide them through challenging times, and how that hope continues to shape and influence our own lives.
1.GOD'S ACTIVE DELIVERANCE:(85:1,2):
Throughout the sacred texts of the Bible, God is consistently referred to as the deliverer of his people. This is exemplified by the Exodus events of the Israelites being emancipated from Egypt and granted the fertile land of Canaan as their new home. Subsequently, due to the disobedience and transgressions committed by the inhabitants of Judah, they were conquered and taken into captivity by the Babylonians. However, in his infinite mercy and compassion, God intervened once again, orchestrating their release and guiding them back to the promised land.
Since God liberated the people of Israel from the clutches of Egypt and gifted them the land of Canaan, that land has been intertwined with their lives. From that time onwards the people of Israel became nationalists. Because it was their promised land, the holy land, a gift from God. Thus any accusation against Judea, it is tantamount to accusing them. From such a country they were given over as slaves to the Babylonian Empire because of their transgressions against the will of God.
Although they were slaves in Babylon, the oppressed community found solace in focusing their thoughts and aspirations on the distant city of Jerusalem, symbolizing their eternal bond with their sacred homeland. As they were enslaved, the nation was also enslaved. Their holy land has become barren. They lamented the desolation of their once revered land. So they pray to God. Through His unconditional love, God listened to their cries and ultimately intervened, liberating them from the clutches of Babylonian enslavement and restoring their lives to a state of newfound prosperity and hope.
The psalmist, recognised and expressed gratitude for the blessings and good state in which God has brought us in the first verse, again pleads in the fourth verse for God's favor and guidance to bring us back to that same state of goodness and abundance. In Verse 1, the Hebrew word שׁוּב(shub) is translated as “Restore”, and interestingly, this same Hebrew word is employed in Verse 4 as “TurnUs”.
Why does the psalmist have to re-apply? The answer lies in the fact that despite the liberation from slavery, there remains a lack of fulfillment and contentment amongst the people. The construction of the city of Jerusalem is still ongoing, signaling a state of incompleteness and a yearning for restoration. We the people are freed from the chains of slavery. yet the nation is still grappling with the aftermath and struggling to regain its former glory.So the psalmist prays that God will bring our country to a good state. As history reveals, it was through the unwavering prayers of the Israelites and the divine love and grace of God that ultimately the completion of the Jerusalem Temple in the year 515 BCE, culminating in a restored sense of liberty and peace for the nation.
2.GOD GIVES HOPE OF FULLNESS OF LIFE (85:8):
The Hebrew word Shalom holds a multifaceted significance beyond just peace. It encompasses concepts such as safety, prosperity, health, and much more, showcasing the richness and complexity of the Hebrew language. people of Israel, experienced a loss of peace, security, wealth, and health during their time as slaves in Babylon. Despite this turmoil, the psalmist imparts a message of hope, emphasizing the belief in God's ability to restore what has been lost. Through trust in God and a commitment to living in reverence of Him, individuals can find redemption and fulfillment in life. The psalmist serves as a reminder to not lose faith, urging individuals to stay close to God and avoid repeating past mistakes. Ultimately, the call to persevere and hold onto hope serves as a beacon of light in times of darkness.
CONCLUSION:
Dear beloved friends in Christ, the profound significance of the cross, as expounded in verse 10 of our sacred texts. Indeed, the cross stands as the poignant intersection where the boundless love of a merciful God intersects with the stark reality that the consequences of sin lead to death. It is at the cross where the divine righteousness of redemption and the abundant promise of eternal life converge.
Once upon a time, our ancestors were tragically subjected to the inhumane practice of slavery at the hands of a cruel and oppressive group of individuals. These individuals were unjustly denied proper compensation for their labor, deprived of the fundamental right to receive an education, lacked access to essential medical care, were restricted from wearing clothings, prohibited from using public roads, and even barred from accessing fresh water from communal wells. The utter injustice and violations of their basic human rights inflicted immeasurable suffering and anguish upon them. However, through the divine intervention of the Almighty God, missionaries preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, our ancestors were granted the gift of freedom and the promise of a fulfilling and meaningful existence. Through the benevolent teachings and salvific grace of Jesus Christ, all rights and privileges that had been unjustly stripped away from our ancestors were restored, laying the foundation for a new era of prosperity and abundance.
The boundless love and generosity of God, who bestows upon us the opportunity to live a life of abundance and fulfillment, will undoubtedly enrich and benefit not only our beloved country but also all of humanity. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Mr. Rahul Gandhi once said, "Democracy in India is the biggest lie.” As citizens of this great nation, let us humbly approach God, seeking his divine intervention to liberate our country from the grasp of this oppressive regime. Just as God had once delivered the nation of Israel, let us have faith that through Jesus Christ, our nation too shall be freed. May the blessings of God be upon us and our beloved country, as we pray for deliverance. Amen.
Books Reffered:
1. A Continental commentary, Fortress Press, USA, 1993
2. The New Interpreter's Bible
©2024, I. Ananda Balakrishnan.
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