Peace

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October 2

Monday, October 2nd, 2023

If there is one thing I know for sure, it is the fact that there are many, many people today who are missing one key ingredient in their life: peace. I recently finished a two month sermon series focused on anxiety, worry, and fear.

I cannot begin to tell you how many people asked me to pray for them because of one of those three emotions. Those who seem to have it the most “together,” who give off the air that “I’m cool and all is okay,” those who exude confidence, were some of whom came to me and asked me to pray for them.

You see… anxiety, worry, and fear show no favorites. Young. Old. Well-to-do. Struggling financially. White. Black. Hispanic. Male. Female. No respecter of persons.

There are some great examples in the Bible of people who found a calm and a peace in spite of circumstances.

Three Hebrew boys- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego- were faced with a furnace made 7 times hotter because the king was so ticked off they would not bow down and worship the king’s idol. They refused and even the king stood in amazement as a 4th figure appeared in the furnace and they were removed unscathed.

Daniel spent the night in a lion’s den. Hungry lions, who the next morning had a great meal of Daniel’s antagonists, never bothered him. He got some good z-z-z-z-z-s that night.

Even Job, who lost everything, except his relationship with God, refused to curse God and die (per his wife’s suggestion). Job kept his eyes on God.

All three of these example are just snippets of people who trusted in spite of circumstances. They exuded a peace we are often missing in our “know everything” age. Sadly, the one thing many don’t know, is how to find peace.

I do. It is found in the One who said, “My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled.”

December 2

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020

Christmas season is upon us. If we haven’t already, we will soon hear strains of love, joy, and peace. There is no question our world is in need of all three of those and more. The one which strikes me the most right now is the latter: peace.

As I write this in 2020, we have been through what can rightly be called The Year from Hell. It started with the China virus (Covid-19). It escalated into a summer of unrest and riots fueled by lawlessness and resulted in destruction of livelihoods and landmarks. Defunding the police. Crooked politicians who say, “Do what I say but not as I do.” A tumultuous election season. A resurgence and spike of covid.  A group known as “the squad” whose whole plan is to take down the democratic system we have. Socialism/Marxism fostered by groups like Antifa and BLM and some of the politicians plague us.

I want to echo the songwriter of I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day when he says, “Hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.” Peace will never be found in our modern post-Christian culture which says human intervention will bring about peace. No. Peace is found in trusting the One who controls all things, even when we don’t understand what is going on, let alone what is going to happen next. Peace will not be found in “if I do this or that.” Peace will be found when we run to the One who is in charge and knows all things.

“Father, You are the One in charge. You are the true source of peace. Let me run to and cling to You.”

March 19

Thursday, March 19th, 2020

As I read a blog yesterday, it referenced this one. This poem is by Paul David Tripp and was posted March 17, 2020 at his blog.  I thought it was very appropriate for what we are facing as a nation, as people, and as a church. There can be no better place to be than in the shelter of His wings.

SAFE

I am safe,
not because I have no
trouble,
or because I never experience danger.
I am safe,
not because people affirm
me,
or my plans always
work out.
I am safe,
not because I am immune from disease,
or free of the potential for poverty.
I am safe,
not because I am protected from disappointment,
or separated from this
fallen world.
I am safe,
not because I am
wise
or strong.
I am safe,
not because I deserve
comfort or have earned my
ease.
I am safe,
not because of
money,
or power,
or position,
or intellect,
or who I know,
or where I live.
I am safe because of the glorious
mystery of
grace.
I am safe because of the presence of
boundless love.
I am safe because of
divine mercy,
divine wisdom,
divine power,
and divine grace.
I am safe,
not because I never face
danger,
but because you are
with me in it.
You have not given me
a ticket out of danger.
You have not promised me
a life of ease.
You have chosen to place me in
a fallen world.
I am safe
because you have given me
the one thing
that is the
only thing
that will ever keep me safe.
You have given me
you.