Monday, July 16, 2018

The Perfect Kiss

Monday, July 16, 2018
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people.  But let them not return to their foolish ways.  Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory.  Unfailing love and truth have met together.  Righteousness and peace have kissed!  Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven.  Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings.  Our land will yield its bountiful harvest.  Righteousness goes as a herald before him, preparing the way for his steps.  Psalm 85:8-13(NLT)
The Psalmist tells us there is a seedling of truth that springs up from the Creator whenever righteousness and peace intersect with a kiss.  And in that seedling is the blessing and bounty of a proud parent as the smile of God’s character beams-down from heaven. 
This very poetic image from the Psalmist is better than any Norman Rockwell painting of better times.  Consider what God says is the result when leaders of nations choose truth and integrity over popularity and personal gain:  the land yields bountifully!  In other words, the citizens of nations who back up their leaders in the cause of truth are bound to enjoy peace and bounty.  That is who God is; it is also the model for Christian people, citizens of heaven.
The generator for this process is a ball that always lands firmly in human laps.  Note that the Psalmist says that he listens carefully to what God the Lord is saying.  When we listen carefully, it isn’t just so we can hear what God is saying, and then do what we please.  That is always a possibility for humans because of free will.  But that would not be serving God with integrity; it amounts to lip service!
A few examples:
·      God rejects murder of the unborn; our Supreme Court didn’t think so…
·      God requires sexuality to be hetero, not homo…our Supreme Court didn’t think so…
And so, God is speaking through the Psalmist to faithful people who are committed to peace.  To listen carefully implies receiving information AND acting in obedience to God’s will.  The idea is to gain truth and put that truth in relationship with righteousness; we are to allow the kiss of truth (understanding what is right) and righteousness (which is doing right).  This is the kind of integrity our leaders and citizens must have to be right with God.
The point is simple:  it doesn’t matter what a majority of humans think; God requires obedience.  When we forget that, or forsake that, we court war with heaven.
For You Today
There are all kinds of decisions made about right and wrong, about what’s best for our country, police forces, the law, family, and culture.  There are cultural worldviews that clash like World War 3.  It may not be possible to figure out what is best from the arguments that are constantly presented in the news or media, but Scripture, God’s Holy Word doesn’t leave us in doubt.
Letting truth and righteousness have that kiss, because you will listen to God, and then DO things God’s way, will always land you on the right side of history; it’s a perfect kiss!
You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day. 

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[1] Title Image:  Courtesy of Pixabay.com

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