Psalm 85:9-13
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
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.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
The Old Testament is filled with beautiful, poetic images of what the world will look like after The Day of the Lord, when God brings the New Jerusalem down from Heaven. These passages are filled with images like streams of water in the desert, feasts of rich food and fine wine, humans and animals all lying down together in peace, and today’s stunning image of righteousness and peace kissing each other.
Since the death and Resurrection of Jesus, we have also understood this great and glorious Day of the Lord to be the day when Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead and to reconcile all creation to God.
We usually think of Heaven as a place far removed from earth where we will all go one day. It’s also possible that Heaven will be right here where we already are after Sin, death, and all their consequences have been removed by the power of God’s Love.
Prayer: God, Our Creator: You created everything there is and pronounced it good. Hasten the day when all the world will be reconciled in Your Love. AMEN