Daily Devotion

Monday, January 26, 2026  

Today's Scripture
Psalm 85

Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps. (NRSV)

You know how it feels as a parent, a teacher, a friend, you tell someone what to do and how to act, and they deliberately don’t do it. You forgive them and forgive them and forgive them until you finally get angry. So, what do you do? You ground them, remove them from class, refuse to speak to them, or, in the case of God, you allow their exile to Babylon. And then hopefully, you calm your anger and forgive them once again.

Psalm 85 was written after the Jewish return from Babylonian exile. God had grounds in allowing the Children of Israel to be exiled. Repeatedly, they just didn’t listen. God has grounds to be angry with us. God knows our sins, and repeatedly, we just don’t listen. If God were to send anger towards us, we would have no hope.

But I am forgiven. I do have hope and love because I am God’s child. Through Jesus Christ, God’s whole creation experiences God’s salvation, glory, love, and faithfulness. I have this every day, even though, try as I might, I still fail to always listen and follow instructions.

Prayer

Lord, open my ears and my heart to your instructions and make me a better listener. Thank you for showing me your mercy and granting me salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Linda Gibboney, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email