HEART CRY

DEVOTIONS FOR THE SOUL

DAY 3

Beginning with Brokenness

PASSAGE: PSALM 85
Read through the entire Psalm and write down any key ideas, insights, or
observations from the text. Afterward, share your realizations within your
support group. There is no need for elaborate theological explanations but it
is highly encouraged for everyone to briefly share their personal encounter
with God in these passages with each other. God bless!
1) The authors of this particular Psalm are The Sons of Korah. Why did they
start off by declaring God showing his favor, restoration, forgiveness, covering
of sin, and withdrawing His anger upon them?

Psalm 85:1-3
1 O Lord, You showed favor to Your land;
You restored the captivity of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people;
You covered all their sin. Selah.
3 You withdrew all Your fury;
You turned away from Your burning anger.

As you may know, the Sons of Korah have a dark origin: their ancestor Korah, along with
a few others like Dathan and Abiram, incited Israel to rebel against Moses in the
wilderness and was punished by God in being “swallowed up by the earth” (Numbers
16). They were appointed to be Levites who would take care of the Sanctuary of the
LORD and represent God in the midst of the assembly but God had to deal with their
rebellion and purify His people.

a. Like the Sons of Korah, you might be facing guilt, experiencing shame,
or carrying a burden from past mistakes or failures. Read through their
prayer for restoration:

Psalm 85:4-7
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.

b. Take the time to ask God regarding any of the following areas:

• Restoration – Possibly any sin that is still unconfessed or unrepented of?

• Revival – Personal encounter through prayer and communion with Christ?

• Rejoicing – Perhaps you’ve lost your joy in the Lord?

• Redirection – Maybe you need to redirect a certain aspect of life unto God?

2
2) What follows after their heart cry unto the LORD for restoration is a
beautiful picture of God’s love, faithfulness, righteousness, and care:

Psalm 85:10-13
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.

a. Despite the notorious and sinful past of their forefathers, these Sons of Korah
were redeemed by God in their present generation. During the time of writing,
they led the choir and made music unto the LORD in the sanctuary.

God indeed restored them and He can restore you today.

• Take this time to thank the Lord for small victories, praise items, and
blessings that He has granted onto you. Write these down and share at
least one of these to your support group.

b. To prepare ourselves for the upcoming retreat, take this time to play a
song that reminds you of God’s love, faithfulness, righteousness, and
peace. Share that song with your support group so that you can exchange songs
that uplift the soul; you may even make a playlist of these songs and listen to
them while on the way to the retreat.

Possible Song suggestions:

• Great is Thy Faithfulness

• Come Thou Fount
• Amazing Grace
• In Christ Alone
• Be Thou My Vision
• What a Friend we have in Jesus
• Yet Not I but through Christ in me