Good News: God is Coming, Reflection on Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

This week's reading from Isaiah called on its readers to look forward, "Get ready. Prepare for God's coming. God will care for you." We can look forward, Isaiah tells us, because we have been forgiven.

Looking forward is what we do in the season of Advent. And like our ancient forbearers, we can do because (as long as?) we accept the assurance that we, too, have been forgiven.

The war (interpret this statement literally or metaphorically) is ended. Psalm 85, like Isaiah 40, deals with what comes next, what peace is like.

God's glory will dwell in our land.
We will care for each other.
We will treat each other with respect.
As God has treated us, we will treat each other.

This psalm promises agricultural abundance, something that was and still is important. As in the case of the term "war," interpret this promise literally or metaphorically.

Lectio Divina: Psalm 85:13