Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Friday, 5 December 2014 - Scripture: Psalm 85:1-7

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Friday, 5 December 2014 - Scripture: Psalm 85: A Korah Psalm
1-3 God, you smiled on your good earth!
    You brought good times back to Jacob!
You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people,
    you put their sins far out of sight.
You took back your sin-provoked threats,
    you cooled your hot, righteous anger.
4-7 Help us again, God of our help;
    don’t hold a grudge against us forever.
You aren’t going to keep this up, are you?
    scowling and angry, year after year?
Why not help us make a fresh start—a resurrection life?
    Then your people will laugh and sing!
Show us how much you love us, God!
    Give us the salvation we need!(The Mesage)
The anguish of a broken relationship is particularly gut-wrenching. Whether it's the disappointment of unmet expectations, the hurt of betrayal or an unexpected break-up, our hearts take a beating. 
Amidst the pain, though, there is often an underlying wish that forgiveness and reconciliation will take place. Sometimes—with a lot of hard work and trust—those things do happen. Sometimes, when one person wants to work it out, but the other doesn't, they don't. And sometimes—as in situations of abuse and violence—maybe they shouldn't even be attempted, at least not without professional help. Whatever the situation, one thing seems certain: We have to face the hurt before we can begin to heal.
The psalmist speaks of this sad reality with longing. The love God once showed has seemingly disappeared. The close bond the people felt has slipped away. The psalmist's cries are our cries: "How long?" "Will you be angry forever?" "Will you not come back?" The words are plaintive: "Please, can I have another chance?"
Lord, I ask forgiveness for the times when I have hurt another. Guide me with your mercy and compassion when I strive to make things right. Amen.
Shelley Cunningham
Pastor, Zumbro Lutheran Church
Rochester, Minn. 
Master of Divinity , 1998
Psalm 85:1 Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. (Selah)
3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.(New Revised Standard Version)
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