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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 17 August 2025:
Psalm 85:1 — LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
The psalm begins with a remembrance of God’s past mercies, when He had shown favor to Israel by restoring their fortunes. This sets the tone of hope rooted in history: the God who once delivered His people remains able to deliver again. For Christians, this points us to Christ, who restored us to God through His work on the cross (Colossians 1:13–14).
Psalm 85:2 — You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah
Forgiveness is highlighted as the greatest act of God’s favor. Sin, once covered, no longer stands as a barrier between God and His people. This anticipates the covering of Christ’s blood (Romans 4:7; 1 John 1:7).
Psalm 85:3 — You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
God’s turning from wrath reveals His covenant mercy. His anger is not final for those who repent, for He provides a way of reconciliation. Ultimately, God turned His wrath away by placing it upon Christ (Isaiah 53:5–6).
Psalm 85:4 — Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!
The psalmist pleads for fresh restoration, acknowledging God’s people had again strayed. This prayer reveals the cyclical pattern of human sin and divine mercy, yet also God’s patience. Believers too must daily cry, “Restore us again” (Lamentations 5:21).
Repentance is continuous. A humble, repentant spirit mourns over sin, continually asks for forgiveness, accepts continual forgiveness, and doesn’t wallow in guilt and regret but rather demonstrates love for Christ and appreciation for grace by wholeheartedly resolving to sin no more.
Psalm 85:5 — Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Here is desperation, as the psalmist wrestles with the possibility of prolonged judgment. This echoes the fear of generational consequences but ultimately reveals hope that God’s steadfast love outweighs anger (Exodus 34:6–7).
Psalm 85:6 — Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Revival is sought so that joy in God may be restored. True revival is not merely national or circumstantial renewal, but spiritual quickening of the heart. This is fulfilled in Christ, who revives dead hearts (Ephesians 2:5).
Psalm 85:7 — Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
God’s hesed, His covenant love, is the psalmist’s plea. Salvation is God’s gift, not earned. This points clearly to Christ, the manifestation of God’s steadfast love (John 3:16).
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.
The psalmist listens expectantly for God’s word of peace. Yet peace comes with a condition: not turning back to folly. This warns us against cheap grace. In Christ, peace with God has been declared, yet disciples are called to walk in holiness (Romans 6:1–2).
After receiving forgiveness from God, don’t keep doing the things for which you asked for forgiveness. Honor God with your behavior. Worship God with your behavior. Love God with your behavior.
Psalm 85:9 — Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
The promise is both near and conditional upon reverent fear of the Lord. Glory in the land is not material wealth but God’s presence. This foreshadows Christ, the Word made flesh who dwelt among us (John 1:14).
Psalm 85:10 — Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
This poetic picture reveals the harmony of God’s attributes in salvation. In Christ, God’s love and justice are perfectly united at the cross. Righteousness and peace embrace, as Christ satisfies justice and secures peace (Romans 3:26; Colossians 1:20).
Love and faithfulness go together. If you love God, be faithful to Him. Living righteously gives you peace.
Psalm 85:11 — Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.
Heaven and earth are joined in God’s salvation plan. Faithfulness arises among people, while God sends righteousness down. Christ fulfilled this perfectly, the true union of heaven and earth (John 3:13).
Psalm 85:12 — Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
God promises blessing when His people walk with Him. The “good” He gives surpasses material crops — it is His presence and favor. Jesus identifies Himself as the good gift of God (John 4:10).
Psalm 85:13 — Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.
Righteousness is personified as paving the path for God’s presence. Christ Himself is our righteousness, who leads us in His steps (1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Peter 2:21).
“He will speak peace to his people….” God’s word to us is the same word Jesus spoke when He met the disciples after His betrayal and resurrection: “Peace.” (Psalm 85:8; John 20:19, 21, 26) Peace is given by God’s grace and experienced through obedience to God. Accept peace from God and then live at peace with God. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by continuing to dishonor the One who saved you and freed you from your sin, and don’t continue to destroy your own peace and joy by continuing in sin. Hebrews 12:1 encourages you to, “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And… run with perseverance the race marked out for [you].” Life is challenging enough without the needless burdens of sin. Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” God wants you to have the fullness of joy that comes from complete surrender to Jesus and obedience to Him in love.
The psalmist speaks of the requirement of God’s people to obey God in order to appreciate the fullness of his blessings on earth. This reminds me of what Jesus said: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:10-11)
As a parent, I want nothing but the very best for my children, but when they don’t listen to my instruction and/or don’t make the effort to do what is right, they suffer needlessly and often cause each other to suffer. Likewise, I can look at my own life and see that most of my problems have been self-induced – they never had to happen. Of course, no one is perfect, and we all make mistakes, which is why the Psalmist begins by expressing his gratitude for God’s mercy and grace. But as we grow up in the Lord, we must strive to grow in faithfulness. As the Bible reiterates in many places, including today’s verses, love and faithfulness go together. Demonstrate your love by your faithfulness, and walk with God in peace and joy.
2 Samuel 3:1 — There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
The kingdom is divided, marked by prolonged struggle. Yet God’s providence ensured David’s rise. This reveals God’s sovereign choice despite human conflict (Proverbs 19:21).
2 Samuel 3:2-5 — And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon… [list of sons].
David’s growing household demonstrates God’s blessing, yet also foreshadows future tragedy. Each son named will later play a role in family strife (e.g., Amnon’s sin, Absalom’s rebellion). David’s polygamy, tolerated but not approved by God, plants seeds of future division.
2 Samuel 3:6-7 — While there was war…. Abner made himself strong…. Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah… and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”
Abner is accused of taking Saul’s concubine, a power move signifying claim to the throne. This reveals Ish-bosheth’s insecurity and Abner’s ambition. Political ambition erodes loyalty.
2 Samuel 3:8-11 — Then Abner was very angry… “Am I a dog’s head of Judah?… God do so to Abner if I do not accomplish for David what the LORD has sworn…” And Ish-bosheth could not answer…
Abner, insulted, turns against Ish-bosheth. He appeals to God’s covenant with David to justify his shift. Yet his motives are mixed — personal pride and wounded honor. God uses even flawed ambitions to fulfill His promises.
2 Samuel 3:12-16 — And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you.” And he said, “Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” Then David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid the bridal price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish. But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” And he returned.
Abner aligns with David, but David demands Michal’s return, both as his rightful wife and as a political symbol of legitimacy. While this strengthens David’s position, it also reopens old wounds, as Michal is taken from her current husband.
Today continues the theme of denying self and taking up your personal cross daily for sake of the Gospel. Unfortunately, David gives us an example of how NOT to display the grace of God:
The story of David and Michal begins in 1 Samuel 18 when king Saul promised Michal in marriage to David as a prize for an attack against the Philistines (1 Samuel 18:24-27). David defeated the Philistines in battle, and Michal was given to him as a wife. However, shortly after that, king Saul, who sought to kill David out of jealousy, gave Michal to another man, Paltiel son of Laish. David spent many years running from Saul and over the years had other wives and children. However, when Saul died and David prepared to step into his rightful position as king, he orders that Michal be brought back to him forcibly, apparently without her desire or consent and with no regard for Paltiel who truly loved Michal and was devastated by David’s actions.
David pursued his own rights without consideration of the collateral damage inflicted upon others. David’s actions were not motivated by love but rather by pride. He demanded his rights (which also served to legitimize his claim to the throne) at the expense of compassion and grace. David broke a man’s heart to get what he wanted, and consequently, he never again had the respect or love of Michal.
- 1 Corinthians 10:11 — Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
David’s story, along with all the other Old Testament stories, were recorded for our instruction, providing both positive examples and, in this case, negative examples. How do you think David could have handled this differently?
Much of the Christian life, is surrendering our rights for the sake of grace — denying self, taking up the cross (accepting persecution for the sake of grace), and truly following the selfless, sacrificial example of Jesus.
- 1 Corinthians 10:24 — Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
- 1 Corinthians 10:32, 33 — Give no offense…. please everyone…. not seeking [your] own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
Don’t let your behavior stand in the way of the message of Christ. Beyond our actions, our motive must always be love. Doing the right things with the wrong motives is sin for you.
2 Samuel 3:17–21 — Abner conferred with the elders of Israel… “For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel…’”
Abner appeals to God’s promise, persuading Israel’s elders to support David. Though his motives were self-serving, truth about God’s word still prevails. God’s sovereignty works through human frailty.
2 Samuel 3:22–27 — Just then… Joab came… Joab sent messengers to Abner… And Abner returned… and Joab struck him there in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
Joab murders Abner in vengeance, undermining David’s fragile unity efforts. This reveals how personal grudges can sabotage God’s purposes when unchecked by forgiveness.
2 Samuel 3:28–30 — Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD… May it fall upon the head of Joab…”
David publicly distances himself from Joab’s act, showing political wisdom and moral clarity. Yet Joab remains in power, a reminder that David does not fully restrain sin within his leadership circle.
2 Samuel 3:31–39 — And David said to Joab… all the people wept… and the king lamented for Abner…. “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men… are more severe than I.”
David laments Abner’s death sincerely, declaring his innocence. His lamentation highlights the cost of division and vengeance. He recognizes his weakness to restrain men like Joab, foreshadowing the struggles of his reign.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 17 August 2025: Psalm 85 reveals that true peace and restoration come only from God’s mercy and righteousness, while 2 Samuel 3 shows how human ambition, grudges, and self-interest fracture unity. The combined lesson is this: reconciliation and revival require humility, forgiveness, and dependence on God’s righteousness, not manipulation or pride. Today, take one step toward reconciliation where tension exists in your life. Pray for revival in your heart and peace in your relationships, choosing to forgive rather than hold onto grudges. Let God’s righteousness, not your pride, lead your steps.
Pray: “Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy that revives and restores us, and for Your righteousness revealed in Christ, where love and justice meet. Guard us from pride, grudges, and ambition that destroy unity. Teach us to walk in humility, seeking reconciliation and peace. Help us to be instruments of revival in our homes, churches, and communities. May Your steadfast love and faithfulness shine through us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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