Peace, Part 1

Peace is mentioned even more than patience in the Bible.

Peace, according to the world is ... "The normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world," or "the state existing during the absence of war," or "freedom from civil disorder."

Peace is something we all want, but usually demand it on our terms. Only One could lay out both the terms of peace, both vertically and horizontally, and make peace possible.

Such peace is something our hearts yearn for, but it can only be had on God's terms. Grind your teeth at that thought? He isn't obligated to make peace with rebels such as we are. That He deigns to offer peace should cause us to agree to His terms, whatever they are.

Christ came as the Prince of Peace. When Christ was born, Luke records a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:14).

When Christ was brought to the temple to be presented to God, a man named Simeon praised God in these words: "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32).

That wasn't all Simeon had to say about Christ. He told the Lord's mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will piece through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35).

More on this next week.

Patience and Peace, Part One

It seems to me that patience and peace can be considered twin virtues. Can we have one without the other?

In Ecclesiates, Solomon observed: "The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit" (7:8).

Writing to the Galatians, Paul reminded them of this: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (5:22-23).

Writing to the Ephesians, Paul admonished them: "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (4:1-3).

Writing to the Colossians, Paul told them of his prayer for them: "For this reason also, since the days we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light" (1:9-12).

Later in his letter to the Colossians, Paul would write: "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you" (3:12-13).

James would remind his readers: "As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord" (James 5:10).

In Peter's first letter, the apostle made a timely comparison: "For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God" (2:20).

(Look for Patience and Peace, Part Two, next week, April 28)

The Intimacy of the Eternal with His Own

Psalm 139 especially speaks to the intimacy of the Eternal with
Each of His own:
"O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thoughts from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain it" (verses 1-6).

These days I feel so much of the "enclosed behind and hefore,"
"Hedged in" as another translation buts it.

While I do not particularly enjoy this time,
I can also see it as a time of protection, of provision,
His hand laid upon me that I might rest when I might not otherwise do so.

My Shepherd knows me even better than I know myself.

Later in Psalm 139 we have these verses:
"For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me together in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them" (verses 13-16).

So these are among the days that were ordained for me,
And I will rejoice and be glad therefore;
These days are not an "accident," unforeseen by the Lord
But ordained for me.
And during them I will pray as the Psalmist in 139:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart,
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way" (verses 23-24).

Two Days after Resurrection Day

What had the priests done about that temple curtain torn from top to bottom? Had they proceeded with the Passover sacrifices as if nothing was different? Move along, move along, nothing to see here?

"Everyone" was still talking about the empty tomb, some to deny the resurrection, others to affirm it--not unlike today.

Some had probably just gone about their business of daily life; what was one more dead-or-not Jew to them?

Some may have still been in hiding, unsure.

Two days after Resurrection Day, which category do you fit into? Do you offer your sacrifices of works still, expecting them to be necessary yet? Do you talk about Easter and the great time you had celebrating it with friends, family, egg hunts, et al? Do you shrug the story of the event off as having nothing to do with you? Are you hiding your faith in Christ, unsure what response you will have from others should you reveal it?

Two days after....

Keep in mind and heart these five essentials regarding Christ:

Crucified,

Risen,

Ascended,

Returning

--What else?

A life perfectly lived so that it could be counted righteous for those for whom Christ was--

Crucified,

Risen,

Ascended,

And will be

Returning--

Consider Him.