Thoughts for the Day

A New Year

Voice 1:
Lord, you were favourable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin.
You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.

Voice 2:
Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation towards us.
Will you be angry with us for ever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.

Voice 3:
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

Voice 4:
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
and will make a path for his steps.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have marked Psalm 85 as though it were being said or sung by four voices to help us look back to last year or earlier, and to look forward to this new year. The psalmist is speaking to Yahweh (God) remembering a time when life was good, no doubt when the crops were bountiful and there was no war. For a moment think back to a good time in your life, and thank God for it.

Another voice enters changing direction, for it feels as though God has deserted His people, and he begs God for forgiveness. Think back over the last year or earlier, to times when things have gone wrong in your own life, and ask God's forgiveness for your mistakes or deliberate faults.

A new voice enters the psalm asking for quietness to hear God's voice, who speaks of peace and wholeness for His people who turn to Him. He reminds his listeners that God offers salvation to those who come to Him. Offer your New Year to God, that His glory may dwell in your life.

The final voice closes with an image of wholeness and harmony, to a time in the future when God's world will be one. This is surely a picture of when God's Kingdom will be complete. Read through the last verse a few times, and ask God to complete His work in you and in all people, and in the natural world.

Father-God.
help us to look back
in thankfulness for the good times
that occurred in the last year,
and especially for those who helped us.
Help us also to look back in sorrow
at the mistakes we made,
and to acknowledge our faults.
May we learn to hear Your voice calling -
inviting us to work with You,
and shaping us to be ready
for the coming completion of
Your Kingdom.
Amen.