We Have Peace in the Prince of Peace

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Jesus made it perfectly clear that in this world we will have tribulation. However, before He warned us of this, in the same verse, He told us that in Him we have peace, and also reminded us that He had overcome the world (John 16:33). In today's verse, God made Israel a promise that they would have peace if they stayed their mind on Him. This promise came with a promise of salvation, in chapter 26. It also came with a promise that God was going to judge the world one day for its rebellion and sin; we know this time as the Tribulation. We, as the church will not be here when that judgement is poured out on the earth; but that does not exempt us from the trials and troubles we face in the world today. We were not promised that we would never suffer trials or persecution before Jesus comes back to take us up from here. Instead, Jesus promised us that we can have peace in Him. The words used in today's verse are interesting. The word "keep" means to guard, conceal, or preserve, like a watchman. The word "stayed" means to prop, lean, lie hard, or rest. In other words, God guards us, conceals us, and preserves us (our hearts and minds) when we completely lean and rest in Him; the same way we lean against a wall when we are tired, or lie down on our bed, trusting that we will be held up or find rest. This requires a complete trust in the Lord. Jesus promised that He gives us peace, not like the world gives peace (which is not peace at all). Because of this He tells us not to let our hearts be troubled, nor let it be afraid (John 14:27). The peace that we have when we completely lean on the Lord, and trust Him, is a peace the surpasses all understanding. But if we are to grab hold of that peace we must be willing not only to trust Him, but we must be willing to bring our concerns to Him by prayer and supplication. The Apostle Paul told us in Philippians 4:6-7 that when we do this, with thanksgiving, the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds. What a great promise we have from our wonderful Savior and Lord; a promise we can hold on to in such times as we live in today. It is a promise that comes from the One who Isaiah called the Prince of Peace.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

It's Not Always What We Think It Is

Job 1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

One of the saddest things about Job's story, besides the fact that all his children were killed, he lost everything, and ended up suffering serious health issues, was the fact that he had so called friends who came alongside him and made the situation worse. The greatest thing they did, as his friends, were to do what they did initially, and that was to just sit silently with Job. The moment they opened their mouths was the moment they added to Job's sorrows and difficulties. Far too often, in our attempts to comfort and help those who are suffering, we add to their pain by presuming to know the reasons why they may be suffering hardship. Right from the beginning we know that Job's trials started because God was holding him up before Satan as a man who lived a righteous life. After Satans accusations, God allowed him to attack Job's life, but set boundaries that Satan could not cross. In later chapters, Job's friends falsely assumed that his suffering was the result of sin in his life. Although they spoke some truths about who God is, and what God will do to those who work evil, their advise was completely useless based on the real reason Job's suffering was allowed. The fact of the matter was that God initiated the circumstances by exalting Job, and even when Satan attacked, God was aware of everything that was happening to Job. God had a plan to restore all that Job lost, but allowed the tragedies to occur in order to proves Job's faithfulness to Satan; and to ultimately prove His own faithfulness to Job, and glorify Himself through those circumstances. So to those of us who may be suffering without explanation, know that God knows. Trust Him through whatever He is allowing, because He is faithful and will work it all for good and His glory. For those of us who are friends to those who are suffering, before we begin to assume and give advise, we must remember this one thing, "It's not always what we think it is!"

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

What Will Be Uncovered?

Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

If someone were to put our lives under a microscope, what would be seen? I'm not referring to the life we portray for others to see so that they think we are godly people who love the Lord. I'm also not saying that they need to see a "perfect little Christian", because one does not exist. I am talking about a life that is focused on Jesus and His Kingdom. I am talking about the evidence that proves that we love the Lord because we make every attempt to obey His Word and do what is right no matter who is looking or who isn't; knowing that God's eyes are always on us. I do not say this because of some need to earn favor with God or to earn our salvation; for both are impossible in and of ourselves. What I am saying is that if we claim to know Jesus as Savior and Lord, is that what would truly be seen and heard in our words, actions, and deeds? In Christ, we have all the acceptance and righteousness needed to be perfect before the Father; for it is Christ's righteousness that makes us acceptable and gives us favor. However, we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Where then are our desires? Are they for this world and the things it offers, or are we busy about our Heavenly Father's business, in Christ Jesus? Are we denying our own selfish desires in order to serve Jesus and be a blessing to others? What would be the final report of our microscopic examination? Lest we forget, there is coming a time when we will all stand before God and give an account; the saved, in order to lose or receive reward, and the lost, to receive their punishment because they chose to reject the free gift that they could have had in Jesus, and Him alone. Our life under a microscope is nothing compared to what the Lord will expose on the day we stand before Him. Are we ready for what will be uncovered?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).