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Journey to Bethlehem Day 11

Wednesday, December 9 Psalm 85:8-13


8 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.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.


The background to this Psalm is Exodus 34:6-7. God created a covenant with Israel to be their God and Israel was to be faithful to the commandments of God. Unfortunately, Israel was not faithful; they worshiped a golden calf.


But did God quit on His people? Did He say, “well they broke their end of the bargain, I’m not going to keep my end of the deal?” No, right after Israel worshiped the golden calf, the LORD renewed His covenant. He came down to earth in a cloud, He passed before Moses, and He defined His character. The LORD defined Himself as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, and forgiving iniquity.


That same pattern repeated in the remaining Old Testament: God’s people promised to be faithful, they were not, but God was still faithful to them. It reminds me of the song “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” by Sandra McCracken:


“Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed,
You are the Faithful one.
And from the garden to the grave,
Bind us together, bring Shalom.”


During this Advent season, remember that the LORD is the Faithful one. Your salvation and peace with God are not based on your faithfulness, but on His! Just as the LORD came down to Moses in the form of a cloud to renew His covenant with a wayward people, so Christ came down to earth to renew His covenant with us while we were yet sinners. He spoke peace, or Shalom, to His people.

LORD thank You for Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Remind me of the good news of the gospel each day: You are the Faithful one. Help me to trust in the finished work of Christ. May this thankfulness of Your faithfulness, draw me to love You more, and by loving You more, may You be glorified more.
Soli Deo Gloria!