Our Paschal Lamb: Plea for Restoration of the People and the Land

The Paschal mystery is one of the central concepts of Christian faith relating to the history of salvation. The main subject of this “Paschal mystery” is the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ – the work that God the Father sent His Son to accomplish on earth. Paschal Mystery is a general term to describe the redemptive work of Christ, and we are called to remember this according to His Word. We especially remember the events of the Last Supper and the (crucifixion of Christ) the Passion, reaching their climax on Easter Sunday. Our Paschal Lamb is our Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Son of God who came to dwell among us through the Virgin birth.

 In a time of great distress like this, “global distress” in singing this Psalm we may be assisted in our prayers to God both for the church in general and for our land and for our people and for the whole world. To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah: Psalm 85.

The pleas are, “Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger” Psa. 85:1-3.

The petition against sin and wrath is seen in “Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease” Psa. 85:4. Mercy and grace despite the sins are seen in. Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation” Psa. 85:7.

The present distress and the plea for restoration is worded in, “Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?  Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” Psa. 85:5-6.

Now we shall see an olive branch, just like in the times of Noah’s flood, the dove returning with an olive branch of peace and good tidings; the psalmist expects her return, “I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly” Psa. 85: 8.

The psalmist gave assurance of to others, and by the spirit of faith he took the assurance of to himself, “Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.  Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps” Psa. 85:8-13.

Analyzing a bit further, Psa. 85:1-7, speaks about the church in great affliction and distress. Mathew henry writes: “So ready is God to hear and answer the prayers of his people that by his Spirit in the word, and in the heart, he indites their petitions and puts words into their mouths. The people of God, in a very low and weak condition, are here taught how to address themselves to God” It is important the church need to acknowledge the great things God had done for them Psa. 85:1-3. This means the present afflictions and sufferings should not drown the remembrance of former mercies of God. Matthew Henry affirms as below:

"Thou hast been favourable to thy land, as thine, with distinguishing favours.’’ Note, the favour of God is the springhead of all good, and the fountain of happiness, to nations, as well as to persons. It was by the favour of God that Israel got and kept possession of Canaan Psa. 44:3; and, if he had not continued very favourable to them, they would have been ruined many a time.  That he had rescued them out of the hands of their enemies and restored them to their liberty: "Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob, and settled those in their own land again that had been driven out and were strangers in a strange land, prisoners in the land of their oppressors.’’

Throughout Biblical history we see that the vessels of God’s mercy are the heirs of His salvation. God Having covered all their sin, thou hast taken away all thy wrath;’’ For when sin is set aside God’s anger ceases and God is pacified if we are purified. See what the pardon of sin is: Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people.

All good comes from God’s goodness; and when mercy, truth, and righteousness, have a sovereign influence on men’s hearts and lives, all good may be expected. If we thus seek the righteousness of God’s kingdom, other things shall be added, Mat. 6:33. When the glory of the gospel dwells in our land, then it shall yield its increase, for soul-prosperity will either bring outward prosperity along with it or sweeten the want of it, Psa. 67:6.  

Dr. Hammond expounds it as “If truth spring out of the earth, that is (as out of the hearts of men, the proper soil for it to grow in, righteousness (that is, God’s mercy) shall look down from heaven, as the sun does upon the world when it sheds its influences on the productions of the earth and cherishes them.” This will be the answer for our peace. God answers prayer from a pure heart, and He is a covenant keeping God.  

Based on the above contemplation, prayer, plea, petition and cry for humanity and healing of the land, we pray that God have mercy on us and forgive our sins and heal the situation. God is immortal and He alone is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, when all our human efforts continue to fail. Glory and honour belong to Only Wise God.