The Sons Of Korah

Psalm 85

Revival.  That is a word that many Christians, particularly those who are serious about the Lord and their relationship with Him, like to hear.  It is something many Christians pray for. Our psalm today speaks a prayer to God for revival. Let’s take a brief look at this psalm to see what we can learn and apply to our life.

This psalm was written by the Sons of Korah.  They were a branch of the descendants of Levi, and were gatekeepers and musicians in the Temple.  The Sons of Korah were also descended from the rebel Korah, who was swallowed up alive in the earth with Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16).  These descendants, though, loved the Lord, and were by no means rebels like their ancestor. We may have some unsavory people in our lineage, but God does not hold their sins against us, and we should never hesitate to serve Him because of family background.  The Sons of Korah didn’t, and they wrote eleven psalms.

Spiritual revival is restoring a right relationship with God (vs 6).  It is returning to a place where He is our chief delight, and where we celebrate His goodness, love, and mercy.  Revival begins with restored and renewed believers, and then spreads to the lost coming to salvation. When Christians start taking their spiritual life seriously, and start obeying His Word, the world starts to notice, and the revival spreads to them.  Souls are drawn to the Lord and are saved.

The Sons of Korah remind us in the first three verses that we need to always remember God’s mercies to us (vs 1-3).  Remembering what God has done, and then thanking and praising Him for it is an important step for revival. Another thing is that, contrary to what some may say, God is angry with sin and those who persistently follow sinful ways, including believers (vs 4-7).  There are some who believe God winks at our failings (they won’t even call them sins), and treats us like an indulgent grandpa. That is not how God is. When God’s people turn from any persistent sin in their life, return to Him, He will forgive and restore (vs 8-13).  The way for revival is open.

In verse 10 we read that mercy and truth have met, righteousness and peace have kissed.  Mercy is God withholding the just punishment we deserve. We have peace with God. Truth, on the other hand, states that we are sinners, and deserving of any wrath from God because of His righteousness.  There have been preachers, particularly in the past, who would solely emphasize the one side, truth and righteousness, while rarely mentioning God’s mercy and peace. Today the pendulum has swung to the other extreme, where they only speak of God’s love and mercy, and say nothing of God’s righteous judgment of sin. Both are equally wrong.

How can the truth of our sinfulness, and God’s righteous anger at that sin be reconciled with His mercy and peace?  That can only be accomplished through the sacrificial death of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He, who had no sin, took the punishment for our sins.  His sinless Blood satisfied the righteous judgment for truth of our sins. God could no bestow His mercy and peace on all who have accepted Jesus sacrifice on their behalf.

How about you?  Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior?  There isn’t a better moment than now to do so!  If you are a believer, let’s join together and pray for revival in the church.  Christians need to be woken up from their slumber. Revival will come and spread across our countries, and lost souls will be won for God’s Kingdom.