Goodness and Peace Greet Us

Faithful love and truth will join together; righteousness and peace will embrace. – (Psalm 85:10, HCSB)

God’s love will come together with His faithful people. Goodness and peace will greet them with a kiss. – (Psalm 85:10, ERV)

Unfailing love and truth have met on their way; righteousness and peace have kissed one another. – (Psalm 85:10, VOICE)

Where God’s faithful love is present, so is the truth. In spaces where hearts are right with God, there is peace. When God’s love leads, truth, goodness and peace are found present. The thing about this is that we must be immersed and surrounded in God’s faithful love for truth to be made evident and peace to be present. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love, so that His truth may be made known, and His goodness and peace be present in places it is not expected. 

The goodness of God,

Is filled with His peace;

Found with love and truth,

For both bring release.

The truth sets us free,

From chains held by lies;

His love leads us on,

Goodness realized.

Keep trusting the Lord,

Rely on His love;

For there we find peace,

And goodness above.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, love and truth are joined together, and goodness and peace are made clear. Forgive us for not turning to You to provide these things. Teach us to trust in You and invest time with You so that we come to know Your love, truth, peace and goodness for ourselves. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your heart clearly known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your unfailing love and hold fast to Your truth, ever aware of Your goodness and peace that is found in Your presence. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – Psalm 29:11

Let Us Listen First

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – (James 1:19, NIV)

My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger. – (James 1:19, ERV)

Post this at all the intersections, dear friends; Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. – (James 1:19, MSG)

This requires an ongoing decision to be intentional to listen, and truly seek to understand. If we merely listen to respond rather than comprehend what is being spoken, anger has room to rise up, instead of compassion and kindness. Yes, there are times that what is being spoken is not beneficial for anyone. Even then, how we respond makes all the difference. Righteous anger allows us to appropriately respond in love and in truth. The ego, on the other hand, causes responses that only further fan the flames. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to listen well, so that when we choose to speak, our words are full of life and love and grace.

Lord, help us to seek,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography

To listen and learn;

Use our ears and heart,

For gracious return.

Let not our voices,

Respond without thought;

Help us understand,

And love as we ought.

For if truth be told,

Wisdom can be found;

In hearts that listen,

As Your grace abounds.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to lead with listening to those around us. Forgive us for the times that we have spoken without truly hearing, or allowed anger to rise and taint our words or actions. Teach us how to rely on You to show us how to listen to understand, speak in love, and allow anger to help us bring change through Your goodness and grace. Lead us in Your love with all those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ever pursue You to grow us more like You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. – Proverbs 1:5