Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Psalm 85:10
The four attributes in this verse remind me of the lighting of the four Advent candles – hope, peace, joy, and love. (https://www.umc.org/en/ways-we-grow/advent-christmas).
For the psalmist, the attributes of verse 10 are purposefully connected, as James Mays offers: “Salvation is happening when the hesed and ‘emet and sedeq and shalom of God are active in and through the community of the God-fearing faithful” (Psalms, 277). I love how Mays refers to these as “the four salvation powers,” and as they collaborate, they carry significant meaning for us as we journey in Advent, waiting and watching for the coming of Christ again.
“The church hugged me,” is what she said. It was part of the witness story she shared as she fondly remembered her experience of first coming to the church. She spoke of appreciation for those who acknowledged her, who welcomed her and embraced her. I wrote her words down as the small group sat in a circle, listening to her heartfelt words.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
For my family, hugs have long been an important part of the ritual of welcoming and departing during our visits. When we arrive at a loved one’s home, during the initial moments of greeting, there are smiles, warm words and full hugs shared between one another. Then, no matter how long or short the visit, we practice the ritual all over again. “So good to be with you and see you,” or, “I wish we lived closer.” More hugs, and very often a lump in the throat or eyes getting wet. Then there’s an encore hug moment when you walk out to the driveway. (Do I hear an “Amen” on this one? Anybody with me on the encore hugs?!)
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
During a visit with Mark last Monday, who was on his way back up I-95 after his visit with family in South Carolina for Thanksgiving, we came to the end of our catching up together and exchanged a hug. The last time I hugged Mark was at my Dad’s funeral last year. Sigh.
So, as I hugged Mark, I held on a little longer, thanked him for going out of his way to stop by, and offered a prayer for him. I don’t recall what I prayed, but I am so thankful for that sacred moment God created in that hug.
Maybe that’s what the psalmist was describing. Maybe a hug is where steadfast love and faithfulness meet. Maybe a hug is where righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Maybe a hug can be the place where God’s four salvation powers become so very real, and all the waiting and watching is so very worth it.
“The church hugged me.” May it be so.
Blessings,
David