Friday, 15th December, 2023
By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
“Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:9-10 KJV).
In Psalm 85, the Psalmist prophetically shows a significant relationship between salvation and the land. Then, in the 10th verse, he prophetically paints a beautiful imagery: "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." The Hebrew word translated "mercy" is 'chesed,' which is often translated as "lovingkindness."
What we have as lovingkindness in the Old Testament is the equivalent of grace in the New Testament. It represents God's unmerited favour; and this lovingkindness was often expressed through covenants. The New Living Translation calls it "unfailing love" because it was based on the unbroken covenant God had with His people, making it reliable and trustworthy:"Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed" (Psalm 85:10 NLT).
The Apostle Paul, in his beautiful discourse in Romans 5, brings this to mind when he said, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
Thus, the psalmist’s prophetic utterance finds fulfilment in us today—the new creation in Christ. In us, grace and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Blessed be God!
Why is that so important? In those times, they were mostly farmers, and their prosperity often depended on what came out of the land. The Bible says, “Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase” (Psalm 85:11-12).
This was how the psalmist could relate with it; and remember, it was still prophetic in his time. This shows the relationship of God’s blessings, salvation and righteousness with the land, that is, your nation or your country; they are key to what happens in the earth. In other words, as a result of grace and truth, righteousness and peace, there will be prosperity, wholeness and wellness in the earth. Hallelujah!
PRAYER/CONFESSION
"Dear Father, I thank you for the revelation of your Word and the understanding of your righteousness. I walk in the fullness of your grace and truth, righteousness and peace. Therefore, I speak prosperity, peace, justice, progress, wellness and wholeness to my country and the nations of the world, in Jesus' Name. Amen."
FURTHER STUDY
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV; Titus 3:5 KJV; Romans 4:5 KJV
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Revelation 7; Amos 5-9
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 20:19-31; 2 Chronicles 29