PEACE BORN OF TRUST
Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. Isa. 26:3, R.S.V.
Is peace the elusive reward we get from disciplined concentration on God? Or is peace a tangible reality that comes from knowing that God is absolutely trustworthy?
The more we find God to be so utterly attractive that we cannot get Him out of our minds, the more at peace we will become. This is no shallow sentimentalism, as when one sighs and pines for an earthly lover. Neither can rigid intellectualism satisfy the cravings of the heart. It is only as we begin to grasp the irrefutable truth of a wise and loving God that we finally come to make the most practical decision of our lives. We trust Him, and in trusting Him we find perfect peace.
The psalmist wrote, "Righteousness and peace will kiss each other" (Ps. 85:10, R.S.V.). Righteousness, that coming into right relationship with God because the misconceptions about Him have been removed, brings us peace as a natural consequence. In fact, they are inseparable. But what is peace, anyway? An absence of trouble? Emotional flatness? Is it God's always being present to keep us from falling into the puddles?
Genuine peace is a statement of faith independent of circumstances. It is unshakable confidence in who God is and how He has chosen to deal with the complexities of the sin problem. It brings inner joy and celebration over the One who has so thoroughly resolved the apparently unresolvable--the blending of justice and mercy.
Peace is also very practical. When you do all into the puddles, you know that God has not forsaken you. You do not spend yourself trying to figure out why He let you get wet. Instead, your settledness about Him and about your relationship with Him enables you to look beyond puddles. You know that puddles go away eventually; God is forever.
Some look only to their feelings for peace. By these feelings they test their spirituality. Consequently, they spend much time thinking about themselves instead of moving forward in fresh understanding about God, the originator of peace. Any negative emotions are quickly denied in favor of the euphoria they think peace should bring. The sad truth is that peace never comes in this manner. God does not give peace; He is our peace.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that...you may abound in hope" (Rom. 15:13, R.S.V.).
Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. Isa. 26:3, R.S.V.
Is peace the elusive reward we get from disciplined concentration on God? Or is peace a tangible reality that comes from knowing that God is absolutely trustworthy?
The more we find God to be so utterly attractive that we cannot get Him out of our minds, the more at peace we will become. This is no shallow sentimentalism, as when one sighs and pines for an earthly lover. Neither can rigid intellectualism satisfy the cravings of the heart. It is only as we begin to grasp the irrefutable truth of a wise and loving God that we finally come to make the most practical decision of our lives. We trust Him, and in trusting Him we find perfect peace.
The psalmist wrote, "Righteousness and peace will kiss each other" (Ps. 85:10, R.S.V.). Righteousness, that coming into right relationship with God because the misconceptions about Him have been removed, brings us peace as a natural consequence. In fact, they are inseparable. But what is peace, anyway? An absence of trouble? Emotional flatness? Is it God's always being present to keep us from falling into the puddles?
Genuine peace is a statement of faith independent of circumstances. It is unshakable confidence in who God is and how He has chosen to deal with the complexities of the sin problem. It brings inner joy and celebration over the One who has so thoroughly resolved the apparently unresolvable--the blending of justice and mercy.
Peace is also very practical. When you do all into the puddles, you know that God has not forsaken you. You do not spend yourself trying to figure out why He let you get wet. Instead, your settledness about Him and about your relationship with Him enables you to look beyond puddles. You know that puddles go away eventually; God is forever.
Some look only to their feelings for peace. By these feelings they test their spirituality. Consequently, they spend much time thinking about themselves instead of moving forward in fresh understanding about God, the originator of peace. Any negative emotions are quickly denied in favor of the euphoria they think peace should bring. The sad truth is that peace never comes in this manner. God does not give peace; He is our peace.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that...you may abound in hope" (Rom. 15:13, R.S.V.).
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