Righteousness and Peace Kiss

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Righteousness and Peace Kiss

Date: Apr. 18, 2016

Passage

Psalm 85:1-13 (ESV)

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1   LORD, you were favorable to your land;
    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2   You forgave the iniquity of your people;
    you covered all their sin. Selah
3   You withdrew all your wrath;
    you turned from your hot anger.
4   Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
    and put away your indignation toward us!
5   Will you be angry with us forever?
    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6   Will you not revive us again,
    that your people may rejoice in you?
7   Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
    and grant us your salvation.
8   Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
    but let them not turn back to folly.
9   Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
    that glory may dwell in our land.
10   Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11   Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
    and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12   Yes, the LORD will give what is good,
    and our land will yield its increase.
13   Righteousness will go before him
    and make his footsteps a way.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 85:10

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.

First, a plea to restore again (1-7). The psalmist here remembers a time when God restored his people and forgave their sins (1-3). Now he pleads with God to do it again (4). There is no joy until our sins are forgiven and we have experienced revival (6). He wants to see God's unfailing love and salvation in the present. We should not be satisfied until we have experienced revival in our land. It should be our earnest prayer topic like the psalmist.

Second, I will listen to what God says (8-13). Now he waits for God's answer. He knows that God promises peace but only if his servants do not turn to folly (8). He eagerly looks forward to God's salvation that his glory may again dwell in the land (9). When do righteousness and peace kiss? (10) Only at the cross! When God's righteous demands are met in Jesus' sacrifice of atonement, sinners can have peace with God and the peace of God. "At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day."

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, praise you for the cross of Jesus. Thank you for giving me peace with you through the death of your Son.

One Word: At the cross righteousness and peace kiss

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references