“Will you be angry with us forever? Will you not revive us again?” As we see the collapse of the family, the increasing anger and violence in our streets, and the gridlock in our Federal government, it’s hard not to pray such prayers, isn’t it? In fact, the last nationwide revival in America took place among the armies that fought in the Civil War – and it shows.

But between the 1730’s and the 1860’s, waves of revival did in fact sweep over America, infusing our culture with Christian values and creating a broad moral consensus that is only now fading away. In the same way, the psalmist could look back on times when God had poured out His blessings on His people in the past, bringing them back from captivity in Babylon and forgiving the sins that had prompted Him to exile them from the Promised Land (verses 1-2).

But given the ongoing sin within us and among us, how can we honestly pray a prayer like this? How can we ask God to speak peace to us if we are not godly (verse 8)? How can we expect God to pour out His covenant-keeping, unconditional love on us if we have in fact broken that covenant? How can God’s perfect righteousness possibly give sinners like us the peace that we need (verse 10)?

Only by His grace. Only through the perfect sacrifice of Christ can God be both perfectly righteous and at the same time forgive those who trust in Him (Romans 3:26) – not because we deserve such a blessing, but as a free, unmerited gift. Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone is the heart of the gospel, and this great truth has sparked revivals both individual and corporate from the days of Martin Luther and John Calvin to the days of Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley.

Yes, it is only as we rely on the perfect sacrifice of Christ that we can hope to pray a prayer like this psalm. But as we pray for revival for ourselves and the world around us, let us not presume upon God’s grace. No, once God has spoken His peace to us, once He has imputed the righteousness of Christ to our account, let us not turn back to folly (verse 8), putting our trust in anyone or anything other than the Lord our God. For He alone can save us and restore us (verse 4). He alone can give us what is truly good (verse 12). So let us place our trust in Christ alone to revive us and restore us, so that we may truly rejoice in Him.

Psalm 85 (NASB)

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
O Lord, Thou didst show favor to Thy land; Thou didst restore the captivity of Jacob.
2 Thou didst forgive the iniquity of Thy people; Thou didst cover all their sin. Selah.
3 Thou didst withdraw all Thy fury; Thou didst turn away from Thy burning anger.
4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Thine indignation toward us to cease.
5 Wilt Thou be angry with us forever? Wilt Thou prolong Thine anger to all generations?
6 Wilt Thou not Thyself revive us again, That Thy people may rejoice in Thee?
7 Show us Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, And grant us Thy salvation.
8 I will hear what God the LORD will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; But let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.
10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth springs from the earth; And righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 Indeed, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its produce.
13 Righteousness will go before Him, And will make His footsteps into a way.