Psalm 85:8-13 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 85:8-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 8Let 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.
Verse 9Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Verse 10Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Verse 11Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
Verse 12The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
Verse 13Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
Devotion
Psalm 85 takes us to the heights of heaven while keeping us rooted on earth. The psalm remembers God's faithfulness even in the midst of hard times and offers a vision of a promised future where steadfast love and faithfulness (truth) shall meet, justice and peace shall kiss, and faithfulness (truth) will spring up from the ground while righteousness looks down from heaven. This salvation will dwell in glory on the land. In faithful, steadfast love, God seeks shalom. God seeks peace, completeness, and welfare to the land and for his faithful people who dwell on it. As it was in the beginning, God will give what is good. For now, this promise sustains us who live without full shalom. We are made for shalom. We are made to be God's people.
Prayer
May we silence our own voices to hear you speak peace. Turn our hearts toward you and our neighbors as we seek your shalom for this land and all lands.
Amen.