Mercy and truth have met together

...... Righteousness and peace have kissed (Psalm 85:10). The various translations of this verse show, in particular, the richness of the Hebrew word “chesed” translated here as mercy. Other meanings of chesed include lovingkindness and steadfast love. The word translated “met together” is used of those who should be friends, but whom circumstances have torn asunder. Certainly in our humanity we do not always see these attributes as friends. We are frequently out of balance in our virtues emphasizing truth at the expense of love for example, or love at the expense of truth. But actually truth without love is not truth, at least not Biblical truth, and love without truth is not love. Suppose you know that down the road, round a sharp bend on an icy road the bridge is washed out. Should you warn your friends who are happily driving down that way? Should you conclude that, well they are happy, and we should do nothing that would spoil their mood? I mean they might even be angry if you tell them!

The most famous of all Bible verses is followed by a very stern warning. “God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in His should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18). Well to answer the above question, we are told to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We have not always done this well, and in this season when we are being called back to repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14 again), we need to get this right. We are to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), and God has these things in perfect balance, in Him steadfast love mercy and truth have met together.

And God never commands anything that He Himself has not already done, in spades. I mean perhaps for a good man one might bring oneself to die, but “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7, 8). It is in the cross of Christ that this morning's verse is truly demonstrated. He who was without sin, He who is the very essence of righteousness, this one became our peace. And He has broken down every wall of division (Ephesians 2:14). And how did He do it? Well “Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). In fact in Jesus righteousness and peace have indeed kissed.

Lord Jesus, I want to thank You this morning for the beauty of Your character, Your mercy and Grace and justice and righteousness are held together in unity and balance within Your persona. Thank You that having been made righteous by Your blood we have peace with God, thank You that in baptism I died with You and that Your raised me up together with You. Help me now Lord to set my mind on the things above where Your are, so that I may live and reign with You. Thank You Lord that You have made this possible even for little old me, and all those reading this blog, in Your precious Name Amen