Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. —Psalms 85:9

I love that phrase, “that glory may dwell in our land.”

Just imagine for a moment: What would that be like ~ for glory to dwell in our land? Beauty, certainly. Glorious beauty … in the morning when you wake to the peace of sunbeams pouring through your window … in the faces of your family members as you greet each other at the start of the day.

And along with beauty, a deep awareness of the sacredness of every other human heart ~ entire communities living under a canopy of grace. And those are just the fringes of the glory we would see.

That phrase speaks so profoundly of God’s good desire for our lives, His passionate longing for our full restoration, His love for beauty. Can you imagine what would it be like for glory to dwell in your land ~ the land of your heart, your family, your city, your nation?

The next two verses of the Psalm describe what that glory, when manifested, looks like. It’s the place where:

Loving kindness (that is, loving regard & acts of kindness) and Truth meet together.

Righteousness (living in the truth of who we are in Christ) and peace kiss each other.

Truth springs from the earth (that is, from us) and righteousness looks down from heaven (that is, from God).

God gives what is good.

The land yields its produce.

God’s grace goes before him and makes a way for those who follow him.

A beautiful picture of what happens when the Kingdom of God becomes present in our midst.

Yes. I want to live in such a glory ~ in that active, experiential intersection of love, truth, righteousness and peace. It’s the native atmosphere of freedom … the place were God gives what is good, all that is good, and His restorative grace goes before Him and makes a path for us to follow.

You will make known to me the path of Life;
In your presence is fullness of joy,
In your right hand there are pleasures forever. —Psalms 16:11

Our part is to fear Him ~ which is the Old Testament way of saying to revere, surrender and follow Him.

So what is it for you to follow Him now?

I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because he is at my right hand (the position of a protector or defender)
I will not be shaken.
Therefore, my heart is glad.
And my glory rejoices.
My flesh also will dwell securely. —Psalms 16:8-9, parentheses added

When was the last time your heart was truly glad? Or your glory leaped for joy?

This is the natural effect of breathing Kingdom air.

So breathe Him in. Right here. Right now.

[Selah.]

Faith is victory. For those who trust Him, there is nothing to fear.