Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. (Psalm 85:10-11)
If you will recall, the opening lines of this psalm allude to the redemption of God’s people when He brings them back into the land, an event that will provoke the land to once again become bountiful. The return from exile is the culmination of repentant hearts coupled with God’s desire to restore His people to their inheritance. It is within this context that the verses above should be considered. At the time of redemption, those responding to God’s call to return to Him will embrace His Word and be filled with the Spirit of Truth. The prophet Zephaniah wrote, “The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth” (Zephaniah 3:13).
When this glorious time comes, the Almighty will respond with an abundance of mercy and forgiveness, hence it is written, “You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people” (Psalm 85:2). Similarly, as the people of God seek His face and pursue righteousness, true peace and harmony will ensue. As it is written, “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever” (Isaiah 32:17). In other words, the interconnection between these two virtues — righteousness and peace — is so intimate, that their union is described as a kiss.
Imagine a day when peace is the norm and war is no more. Imagine a day when truth is as abundant as the spring grass that bursts forth from the ground when warmer temperatures return. To truly appreciate this, perhaps we should consider just how prevalent lies and contention are today. People spread lies when it would be easier to tell the truth; some of those same people seem to thrive on conflict and strife. Yet the Bible says that a better day is coming because He is gathering a people who not only embrace the truth but exhibit it before others. He is assembling a people who hunger and thirst for His righteousness and who are diligent to seek His face.
I will suggest these are the same people Messiah referred to when He said, “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4:23). And so, according to the Messiah, the day of truth and peace — the day we long for — is upon us. We are living in the promised time of our redemption, and so as it is written, “Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord and He will come to us like the rain” (Hosea 6:3); “His righteousness shall look down upon us from heaven.”
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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