Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and will make a path for his steps. ~ Psalm 85:8-13
I have always loved the image of a tree.
There's so much that goes on that we can't see it. We see the power of the limbs and sway of the branches, but at the bottom - that's where the good stuff happens.
That's where the growth begins. It's where nutrients feed and life bursts forth. The tree springs from the ground only after everything unseen begins to take root.
I think of the image of the tree with this Psalm. I see faithfulness springing forth because it has been fed and nurtured.
Faithfulness, love, peace, and righteousness all meet because they have been tended to.
And so life happens.
What are the things happening behind the scenes that nurture your faith?
What are the ways in which you are being called to grow so that life can burst forth in you?
Feed me, nurture me, and help me to grow in love and faithfulness, Holy One. Amen