Mark's Blog

Reading:  Psalm 85

I will listen to what the LORD God is saying,
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.

Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring up from the earth,
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

The LORD will indeed grant prosperity,
and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness shall go before him,
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet

With some couples, I’ve asked myself, how did they ever get together? They are so different! But other couples, even though they are distinct individuals, they seem to be perfectly matched. Even their distinctiveness is complementary.

So it is with the couples of this psalm.  First Mercy and Truth meet together—a strange couple. Are they not enemies—one demanding and the other permissive, one written in ink and the other a soft green eraser!

Both originate in heaven; both are a gift of love. But on the day of The Coming, they are a couple—a beautifully matched pair.  Truth is black and white, yes and no, absolute. You think this is the opposite of Mercy, but, in fact, the LORD has bound them together—for “his salvation is very near to those who fear him.” Mercy and Truth are meant for each other; The Coming is full of grace and truth!

The second couple is clearly a heavenly match, a beautiful couple: Righteousness and Peace. There is no shame in their intimacy; their kissing results in fruitfulness. They multiply and replenish the earth.

It is Righteousness and Peace who go before The Coming. It is Righteousness and Peace who are the Way.

Righteousness and Peace are the same as Truth and Mercy.

May it be so on earth as it is in Heaven!