Scripture Insights for Daily Peace and Righteousness

Inner peace begins with a relationship with God, and it continues as we focus on His strength and allow Him to fill us. We can exchange our weakness for His strength in any area of life. God’s Word says, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is focused on You because He trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, let me sow pardon. Where there is doubt, let me sow faith. Where there is despair, let me sow hope. Where there is darkness, let me sow light. Where there is sadness, let me sow joy. Divine Master, help me seek to console rather than be consoled. Help me seek to understand rather than be understood. Help me seek to love rather than be loved. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

For Knowing and Loving God
O God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the
souls that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you:
Help us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to
love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect
freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thine only-begotten Son, that through His coming we may be worthy to serve Thee with purified minds. Who lives and reigns, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE

“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. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way” (Psalm 85:8-13 ESV).

Commentary:

          A promise from God (85:8–9)

85:8–9. The psalmist said he would listen for a word from the Lord who promises peace (šālôm, “welfare”; cf. v. 10; Es. 10:3) to His … saints. He gives salvation so that His glory may be evident in the land. “Glory” means the manifestation of His presence (cf. Isa. 60:1–2; Zech. 2:5).

These ideas expressed in God’s revelation to Israel find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. This promise of peace and salvation through the glory of the One who dwells among men may have been in John’s mind when he wrote John 1:14.^[1]

          The faith of the psalmist (85:10–13)

85:10–13. The writer was confident that the Lord would cause His attributes (love [ḥeseḏ], faithfulness, and righteousness) to work together to provide peace (welfare; cf. v. 8), righteousness, and prosperity (cf. 84:11).^[2]

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^[1] Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 856.

^[2] Ibid, 856.