Open Heaven 11 February 2026: The Year Of Peace (III)

Bible Reading: Psalm 85:8-13 (KJV)

Full Text:
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

Memory Verse:
“I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.” – Psalm 85:8 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Numbers 8-10

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The Year Of Peace (III) – Message

Peace is not merely the absence of trouble; it is the active, powerful presence of God’s wholeness and order in the midst of any circumstance. As we continue to explore this prophetic theme for 2026, Psalm 85 provides a divine blueprint for entering into and maintaining this profound peace. The opening verse sets a crucial framework: our peace is directly linked to our posture of listening and our commitment to obedience. God speaks peace, but the maintenance of that peace requires a heart that is tuned to His voice and a will that is determined to turn from foolishness. The “folly” referenced here is any path, thought, or action that is contrary to God’s wisdom and character. It is the choice we make to rely on our own understanding, to harbor sin, or to seek solutions outside of His will. The moment we turn to such folly, we step out from under the canopy of His spoken peace.

The passage beautifully unveils the ecosystem of divine peace. It is not an isolated attribute but exists in perfect harmony with God’s other foundational virtues. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” This poetic imagery reveals that true, lasting peace cannot exist where mercy is absent, where truth is compromised, or where righteousness is ignored. God’s peace is holistic. It is the fruit of a life aligned with His mercy (receiving and extending forgiveness), grounded in His truth (rejecting deception), and walking in His righteousness (pursuing right living). This peace then becomes the fertile ground for God’s blessing. The scripture promises that from this place of integrated peace, “our land shall yield her increase.” This speaks to supernatural productivity, provision, and fulfillment of purpose in every area of a believer’s life—spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical.

Therefore, to walk in this promised year of peace requires intentionality. It begins with a daily decision to listen—to quiet our souls before God’s word and Spirit. It is sustained by a vigilant rejection of folly in all its subtle forms, from anxiety and unforgiveness to overt sin. As we do this, we position ourselves not just to feel a temporary calm, but to live in the unshakable shalom of God, where every part of our life is touched by His goodness and order. Righteousness goes before us, clearing the path, and peace becomes our constant companion.

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Key Point

Retaining God’s peace requires forsaking folly.

Prayer Point

Father, please help me to forsake every folly so I can retain Your peace, in Jesus’ name.

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Hymn: Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine

Full Lyrics:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Refrain

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Refrain

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Extended Commentary

The conditional nature of God’s peace, as outlined in Psalm 85:8, is one of the most practical and empowering truths for the believer. God’s promise is not fragile, but our receptivity to it can be. The instruction “let them not turn again to folly” implies that folly is a familiar path, a former way of living from which we have been turned. Each day presents a crossroads where we can choose the path of divine wisdom or revert to the old, broken ways of the flesh. This folly can manifest as the internal noise of worry that drowns out God’s voice, the choice to nurse a grievance rather than forgive, or the pursuit of shortcuts that compromise integrity. Peace is maintained through a series of small, faithful obediences.

Furthermore, the confluence of “righteousness and peace” in verse 10 is a vital theological anchor. In the world’s economy, peace is often negotiated at the expense of righteousness—compromising truth for the sake of temporary truce. In God’s kingdom, this is impossible. The peace He gives is built upon the unshakeable foundation of His righteous character and the finished work of Christ. It is a peace that reconciles us to God (vertical righteousness) and should then flow out into right relationships with others (horizontal righteousness). When we prioritize righteousness—seeking first God’s kingdom and His ways—we find that peace follows as a natural inheritance. It is the serene confidence that comes from knowing we are in right standing and in the center of His will.

Finally, the promised “increase” of verse 12 is the tangible outcome of a life rooted in this God-defined peace. This is not merely material prosperity, though it can include it. It is the increase of spiritual fruit, the multiplication of influence for His kingdom, the growth of wisdom, and the flourishing of relationships. A heart at peace is a heart that is fertile. Anxiety, fear, and sin are like weeds that choke the life out of our potential. When God’s peace, guarded by our obedience, rules in our hearts, it creates the optimal environment for everything He has planted within us to grow to its full maturity. Our lives become productive and impactful, yielding a harvest that glorifies God and demonstrates the reality of His kingdom to the world.