TODAY’S WORD: Theological Insights from Psalm 85: Justice and Mercy

HIGH FIVE! (good healthly breakfast… CONQUER TODAY!)

Psalm 85 is a deeply moving and theologically rich passage that reflects a nation’s yearning for restoration, forgiveness, and divine favor. Here’s a breakdown of its significance:

🌿 Context and Structure

• Authorship: Attributed to the Sons of Korah, Levites known for their role in temple worship.
• Historical Setting: Likely written during or after the return from Babylonian exile, though it resonates with any period of national or spiritual renewal.
• Genre: A blend of lament, thanksgiving, and prophetic hope.

🔍 Key Themes and Messages

1. Gratitude for Past Mercies (Verses 1–3)

• The psalm opens by recalling how God once showed favor to the land, forgave the people’s sins, and withdrew His wrath.
• This retrospective gratitude sets the tone for the plea that follows, reminding both the people and God of His past faithfulness.

2. A Plea for Restoration (Verses 4–7)

• The psalmist implores God to “restore us again,” asking whether His anger will last forever.
• This section reflects a deep awareness of sin and a longing for revival—“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”

3. Hope in Divine Response (Verses 8–9)

• The psalmist listens for God’s voice, confident that He will speak peace to His people.
• There’s a call to not return to folly, emphasizing repentance as a prerequisite for restoration.

4. Vision of Reconciliation and Harmony (Verses 10–13)

• One of the most poetic and profound verses in Scripture appears here:
• This verse symbolizes the perfect harmony of God’s attributes—justice and mercy, truth and peace—coming together in divine reconciliation.
• The closing verses envision a future where righteousness leads the way and the land flourishes under God’s blessing.

✨ Why It Matters Today

• Spiritual Renewal: Psalm 85 is often used in prayers for revival—both personal and communal.
• National Healing: It speaks to times of collective hardship, offering a model for how a people can seek God’s mercy and restoration.
• Theological Depth: Verse 10 is frequently cited in Christian theology as a foreshadowing of Christ, where divine justice and mercy meet at the cross.

Would you like to explore how this psalm might connect to your own journey?

I want to hear!!! What is written in PSALM 85:10-13… (she used my name… 🙂 🙂 🙂

Absolutely, Kevin. Here’s the beautiful and poetic passage from Psalm 85:10–13 (NIV):

10 Love and faithfulness meet together; Righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. 12 The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

🌟 A Few Reflections

• Verse 10 paints a picture of divine harmony—where love and truth, justice and peace are not in conflict but in perfect unity.
• Verse 11 suggests a mutual movement: humanity responds in faithfulness, and heaven answers with righteousness.
• Verse 12 promises tangible blessings—God’s goodness will be evident in the fruitfulness of the land.
• Verse 13 envisions righteousness as a forerunner, preparing the path for God’s presence and guidance.

Would you like to explore how this imagery might inspire a poetic reflection or even a closing for your Toastmasters speech? I think it could beautifully echo your themes of growth, purpose, and divine alignment.

Nah… Thanks Though… I joined a fantasy football league in my Rotary Club… Can you help rank a teams defense?

🛡️ Top 5 Fantasy Football Defenses (2025)

Rank	Team	Key Strengths
1️⃣	Denver Broncos	Elite secondary, top pass defense, added Dre Greenlaw & Talanoa Hufanga
2️⃣	Houston Texans	Dominant pass rush, deep secondary, coached by defensive mastermind DeMeco Ryans
3️⃣	Philadelphia Eagles	Deep pass-rushing rotation, strong linebacker corps, Vic Fangio’s system
4️⃣	Baltimore Ravens	Upgraded secondary with Jaire Alexander, consistent top-5 defense
5️⃣	Pittsburgh Steelers	Physical front seven, added Jalen Ramsey, strong against the run and pass

⚠️ Bottom 3 Defenses to Avoid

Rank	Team	Concerns
30️⃣	Atlanta Falcons	Inexperienced pass rush, secondary depth issues
31️⃣	New Orleans Saints	Aging core, poor run defense, ranked 31st in sacks last season
32️⃣	Carolina Panthers	Worst run defense in 2024, few playmakers, major sack production issues

🔍 Fantasy Tip

If your league scores heavily on sacks, turnovers, and points allowed, Denver and Houston are gold. But if you’re streaming defenses week-to-week, look for matchups against weaker offenses—especially those facing Carolina or New Orleans.

THANKS BE TO GOD!!!