Psalm 85:8-13
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.
In our culture, we don’t normally use a kiss as a form of greeting. We shake hands. Yet, we are not unaware of the kiss used as a greeting in other cultures. A kiss a shows love, trust, and acceptance. A kiss is fitting. When in this scripture selection we read “righteousness and peace kiss each other” we know what it means! There could be no better way to express such a joyful meeting.
When Judas betrayed Jesus, He used a kiss. The nature of the act of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas was highlighted by this kiss. The use of the kiss even caused Jesus to remark about Judas’s action. Judas was using his friendship with Jesus to hand Jesus over to the mob. This well describes sin for what it is, a betrayal of the Lord.
Still Jesus continued after Judas betrayed Him. He was faithful to His calling and He died for the sins of the world. Amazing as it is, God came knowing our sinful nature and was willing to offer us salvation through faith in Jesus.
If you would see the union of righteousness and peace, look no further than the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Then, confessing your sins, know that you have a Savior. He came for you and brings you back into fellowship with Him in eternal life.
Let us pray,
Help me Lord in the midst of this life to repent of my sins and trust in you. I thank you for your salvation and confess that in you, righteousness and peace kiss. May I be found faithful in your forever. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.