Psalm 85: 10-13, "Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righeousness goes before Him and prepares the way for His steps."
The psalmist reflects on God's past deliverance. His reflection gives him confidence in God's future deliverances. It also helps him realize that as with any relationship, it is a two way street. Israel was free but they were not faithful to their God. They continued to sin and worship other gods. The hardest part about being a loving parent is letting your loved ones experiences the consequences of their choices. That whole ten commandment thing...He was serious about that...the first one listed about having no gods before Him. They were the first civilization to be monotheistic (worship one God). God spoke to Abraham and he separated his people from among the ancients and took them to Canaan. They were to live separately, to stand alone as His chosen people. Even in their battle victories, God told them to completely wipe out their enemy so they would not be tempted by their practices. Oh, our silly flesh. He had turned away and left them to their disobedience and as often happens, they realized the wonder of His blessing upon them and longed for it again.
His loyal love and His faithfulness are what He provides. Truth (righteousness) and peace are what we experience with His blessing. I love the juxtapositions abounding here. Then the picture of faithfulness springing from the earth (our loyal love to Him) as righteousness looks down from heaven (His holiness and blessing). One with the other, then flip it and the other with one. He's doing, we're doing...they unite when we return to Him and He responds with blessing and so it continues.
Dr. Constable beautifully summed it up with his reminder that when people get right with God, His choicest blessings are not far behind: righteousness, peace, loyal love, truth, fear, glory and slavation...but Dr. Constables reminds, "We have to wait for Him to provide blessing after repentance and God patiently waits before bringing judgement for sin." What a good father..."He will indeed give what is good...righteousness goes before Him and prepares the way..." (v. 12a, 13a)
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