What’s Missing

(Psa 85:9 KJV)  Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

(Proverbs 28 also read)

I am sure you have heard them.  I know you will hear them again.  I speak of those people who tell you about how the Jews were under bondage to the law, how they lived with a ball and chain that kept them in fear of breaking one of the 613 commandments of the law.  Next time you hear that, read Psalm 85 and ask yourself, “What does this tell us about the Law?”  The answer will be, “Nothing.  It isn’t even implied.”  If you don’t want to read the whole thing today, you will just need to trust me.

It does talk about salvation.  I am sure you have time to read this verse.  Don’t get put off by the “fear” (3372a).  Fear of God certainly has a component of terror but it usually emphasizes a sense of awe and reverence that is generated by an awareness of the majesty and power of God.  If you look through the chapter you see words like “lovingkindness” and “forgive”, you see “mercy”, “truth” and “peace”.

So?  Yes, God has standards.  He is a holy God.  He can’t get away from what He is but keep in mind that the desire of His being is to redeem us.  That is why He had a plan, a plan to send a savior.  Rejoice.