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
When you're on a rescue mission, you want to know exactly what the mission is: What happened before the need to rescue occurred, what circumstances have brought the situation to where it currently is, and what needs to happen to restore health and well-being.
Psalm 85 is a call for rescue. But this is no covert operation. It's a public pronouncement of the saving acts of God. It's about a people who see their need for restoration and call once again for God to show God's steadfast love and grant salvation.
In today's appointed verses 8–13, the people seek God's instruction and await God's rescue. The psalm concludes with a prophetic voice announcing that the rescue mission is indeed on its way. The words steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace remind us of God's saving promises. But they are also words that characterize what the rescued people of God are called to be in the name of Jesus—a people of liberating action.
Prayer
God of steadfast love, as we dwell in your saving promises, you call us to be the voice of hope and peace in a world that seeks refuge. May we be instruments of your steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace. Amen.