When There Is Harmony

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Scripture:

Psa. 85:10        Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
        righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11     Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
        and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12     The LORD will give what is good,
        and our land will yield its increase.
13     Righteousness will go before him,
        and will make a path for his steps.

Observation:

God’s promises are far reaching, bringing about peace and harmony among his people and the earth which he so beautifully created. It is the life of faithful love expressed toward our holy God that brings together righteousness and peace. The two unite in the heart of the believer, living and reflecting the righteousness of God which results in a great sense of peace.

The harmony of earth resonates to the heavens above and the result is seen in the fruitfulness of the earth. The yield of the earth is God’s truth and as his people walk in that truth the land becomes increasingly productive. Salvation changes everything and just as we are reminded in John 3:16, it is the whole world for whom God sends his only begotten son. Therefore, ultimately, salvation includes the restoration of the garden of Eden together with the New Heavens and New Earth. This is the harmony of heaven with earth.

Application:

Christ’s entire life is a salvific act — bringing about the salvation of the whole earth. From the moment of sin in the garden there has been discord in God’s creation. Man’s relationship to the earth and creation became distorted, as was the relationship between man and woman. This discord or disharmony is played out every single day in the conflicts we see around the world. Some of these conflicts are on a small personal scale and then there are those that escalate and begin to take in the world around them. This may include a family of discord, a community, or even an entire nation.

When God washes over a people or a situation the result is the kiss of peace. Literally — peace breaks out! Therefore where there is no peace we don't see God. Just imagine that as God’s holy people, we are called to be the channels of peace or harmony to places of conflict. If we are reflecting his holy image, then we are the bearers or reflections of salvation.  But how can the world experience this salvation if we will not go?

Examine the world around you today. Where is there conflict? Then pray for God’s leading and direction for your role in bringing his peaceful harmony to the situation. This is God’s desire, that his righteousness and peace will kiss in the place of steadfast love and faithfulness. God’s people, called to go and carry his harmonious tune into the disharmony of life.

Prayer:

Lord, may your beautiful tune be heard in my life.  Amen.

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