Like One Who Watches For The Morning: Psalm 85

Reflection: "Powered by some of the most imaginative and evocative metaphors in the Bible, Psalm 85 counters our world of anxiety, scarcity, self-sufficiency, denial, amnesia, and despair with hope rooted in "God the Promise Keeper". Walter Brueggemann The hope we have is that new life will come from God and this new life is God. The new way of living must include the attributes characteristic of the way of the LORD: covenant loyal love (hesed), faithfulness (’emet), righteousness (sedeq), and peace (shalom). Verses 10 -11 describe the attributes of God as meeting in the middle. Love and faithfulness will come up from the ground and righteousness and peace will come down from the sky and meet in a holy kiss. God is going to move heaven and earth to revive us again.  Salvation happens when the love and faithfulness and righteousness and peace of God are active in and through the community of God-fearing faithful. God’s work is God’s character and we are to be transformed to be like God and carry out that work. This Oneing with God (as Julian of Norwich would call it) is what look forward to and prepare for especially in advent. Advent is about softening our hearts, humbling our pride, reconciling with God and neighbor, and living as one.