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I Will Listen to What God the LORD Will Say
Psalm 85, 1 Thessalonians 5:7-10, Matthew 17:4-8
Andy Nagahara
A. Owning sin as our problem (0-3)
0 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. 1 You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. <Selah>
3 You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.
B. What would you like God to restore?
(4-7, I Thessalonians 5:7-10)
4 Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
(I Thessalonians 5:7-10) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
C. I will listen to what God the LORD will say
(8-13, Matthew 17:4-8)
8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints– but let them not return to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 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.
(Matthew 17:4-8) Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Summary
Our world is currently in a state of turmoil. Conflict between countries and between different groups of people, not to mention the dangers posed by coronavirus, threaten the sense of normalcy in our lives. A growing number of people are experiencing difficulty in sustaining their everyday lives. What is most important in bringing love, truth, justice, and peace into our world is to hear what God, the LORD, is saying to us. Let us continue to worship so that we can hear Jesus’ voice and learn from him.
For Discussion
- What kinds of things do you want God to restore?
- How can we hear God’s voice?