LET THEM NOT TURN BACK TO FOLLY
“I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly.” (Psalm 85:8).
Psalm 85 is a prayer that the LORD will restore favor to the land. The relationship with God is the psalmist’s main concern. It is a great relief to know that God’s wrath has passed and now one can pray for restoration. When one prays for revival, he is asking for God to work in His people so that they will only find joy in Him (Psalm 85:6).
True revival confirms that God alone is responsible for salvation (Psalm 85:7). One who is praying for revival should submit to the authority of God’s word. The psalmist was confident that God will speak peace to His humble people and to His saints (Psalm 85:8).
A true believer is humble and eager to hear what God speaks to him because God speaks peace to His people. Paul explains how we receive peace. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1). God is willing to give peace to His people, but they should not return to their foolish ways.
Peter’s warning: “But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to his own vomit, and a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:22).
When a person turns away from sin, peace is declared to them; nevertheless, if they do it again, it will be at their own risk. All sin is foolish, but backsliding is especially so. It is blatant foolishness to return to sin after appearing to turn away from it or to return to it after God has declared peace. The words of the wise: “As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11).
But, if they grieve the Holy Spirit by returning to their sinful ways, their latter end is worse for them than the beginning. Peter warns: “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and cannot overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20).
Have we turned to God wholeheartedly with true repentance?
Are we careful not to return to our foolish ways?
The LESSONS we learn:
When one prays for revival, he is asking for God to work in His people so that they will only find joy in Him.A true believer is humble and eager to hear what God speaks to him because God speaks peace to His people.Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ.God's people should truly repent and turn to Him rather than return to their foolish ways.
Dr. S. Selvan