Daily devotional · December 10
Righteousness and Peace Kiss
“I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land. Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed. Faithfulness sprouts from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The LORD will indeed provide what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps.”
The psalmist decides to listen to what God will say, and what God says is peace for His people, provided they do not slide back into foolishness. Then comes a striking poem: love and faithfulness meet, righteousness and peace kiss, faithfulness springs up from the earth while righteousness looks down from heaven. These pairs usually feel opposed in our lives. We think being right requires cutting relationships, or keeping peace requires ignoring truth. The psalm insists that in God they belong together. Christians see the fullest meeting of these in Jesus, in whom truth and mercy are joined. Today, think of a conflict where you have set truth and peace against each other. Ask God how you might hold both: speak honestly with kindness, or seek peace without lying. Then take one step, a call, a careful sentence, or an apology, and let heaven and earth meet in that small place.
Prayer
God, join truth and peace in me. Give me courage to speak and gentleness to listen. Amen.