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Holding Sweet Peace


Psalm 122 (NLT)
1 "I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD .” 2 And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached. 4 All the tribes of Israel—the LORD ’s people— make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the LORD, as the law requires of Israel. 5 Here stand the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David. 6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. 7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.""

 Jerusalem, and indeed all of Israel is threatened even now. But Israel's greatest enemy isn't her mortal foes of flesh and blood who rail against her very right to exist. Her greatest enemy lurks unseen except for the vile result of his deeds through the flesh of men. And it's that same enemy that seeks to breed turmoil, confusion and disharmony in every nation in the world, making it difficult for some to find the joy, confidence and comfort of sweet peace. However, I would suggest that if followers of Christ anywhere in the world have truly lost their peace, it might be that they've let their once well fixed focus slip from their greatest hope...

 Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT)
10 "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm."

As followers of Christ, we are never alone and never overcome as we submit ourselves and our concerns into the very hands that formed us, regardless of how circumstances may test our faith...

 We may not understand our God's timing, His plans or His reasons for the things that we see or encounter in this life, but our trust in Him, in His ways and His intentions toward us is paramount to our ability to have the peace that we desire. Our solid faith in Him and all that He's made known to us of Himself, His promises and His love for us, forms the basis for our great hope. If we don't know these things, then we have to seek them out and arm ourselves with them - holding them as the ultimate truth over anything else and measuring all things by them. And in every moment praying that they become the anchoring reality in our hearts and minds as Jesus renews them against the enemy's deceptions. 

 Our God is our all-in-all in every moment of every encounter in this life. And Jesus, with His own blood, bought this great privilege for us. So with those things solidly in our hearts and minds at all times, we have no reason for anything but peace even when we're surrounded by the greatest turmoil and wickedness. Our responsibility is the submission to be obedient to the Lord in all things and to trustingly leave the responsibility for all else in the great hands that hold the world. It's when we let our focus on the truth slip that the enemy finds opportunity to erode our peace.

 Fear and despair belong solely to the conquered enemy waiting for the execution of our God's final justice. Ours is the joy of victory in every moment, because whatever illusion, whatever seemingly fear churning situation may arise to present itself, this war is already won. Whatever happens here, our fate in eternity is secured by the providence of grace... and hell and all of it's destined inhabitants, our unseen tormentors, will find theirs sealed as well.  

 Our job is to endure patiently and victoriously, acquainting ourselves with the truth - seeking it out in scripture and through the revelation of the Holy Spirit - clinging to it faithfully..

 James 3:17-18 (NLT)
17 "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness."

 To give context to John's words that follow here, he was talking about false prophets. But his statement is true for us today, wherever we stand in a world of conveniently formed, alternate "truth". It gives us something to hold our peace steady whether we live in a majority or minority as believers anywhere in the societies of this world. In the end, the truth of our God reigns no matter what anyone says and the outcome, the disposition of our future - reigning with Christ eternally, is set... 

 1 John 4:4-6 (NLT)
4 "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 5 Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. 6 But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception."

 While the world around us may continue to create turmoil for itself, our gift to enjoy every moment in any situation because of Christ's grace... is sweet peace... 

 John 14:27 (NLT) "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." 

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