God Promises Peace

Psalms 85:8-10 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his faithful people – but let them not return to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
 
GOD has given us unconditional promises. For example, he promised a Savior to redeem sin. No amount of sin among mankind stopped God from fulfilling this promise. This was God’s decree, and he fulfilled it in his time. God also unconditionally promised a nation from Abram. No deceit or lack of faith on the part of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob deterred God from forming Israel.
   But God’s peace promise here is a conditional promise: he promises peace to his people, his faithful people – but let them not return to folly. God promises peace to the people who resist foolish living. Folly is useless pursuit of self-desires; it is yielding to temptation. Folly is thinking you know better than God. You believe his commands are of little use. They only block your passions.
   There is no peace for foolish people. We know that from our own experience. Foolish errors lead to internal and external chaos. But God wants you to know he promises peace will belong to those who fear God. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him. This is salvation from conflict and turmoil in your life. A right fear of God is a reverent obedience to his commands; it is a submission to his authority. You worship God above all. You love his commands. You know they lead to peace with him, with your neighbors and with yourself. Your conscience is at rest because you know God knows you fear God’s retribution for your folly.
   God also knows your heart joyfully anticipates living each day in God’s ways. You know how much he loves you. Your life is a testimony that love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. We should all hunger for this joyful union of God’s goodness. God is pleased.
   When God’s people are at peace with God, his glory may dwell in our land. His evident power will be visible to the world. God’s people will see the value of love and faithfulness joining together. There will be a strong, effective bond between righteousness and peace. Peace brings prosperity, health and security to our lives. Why would the world reject God’s promise when he has so richly fulfilled it in Jesus Christ?
   Through this salvation, we now have Jesus’ unconditional promise for his own: John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  
   When you faithfully confess, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior.” the glory of his peace will reign in your heart. His love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Your life is complete because you know the Lord of Life has given you his peace forevermore.