The world our students are growing up in today is consistently changing. The access they now have to information is staggering and the speed at which their lives travel is so fast that one of my greatest challenges is to help them to slow down. They just don’t live at a slow speed. Everyone else they hear is preaching faster, quicker, more efficient, your time is valuable so get the most for it. Sound familiar?
But then I read Psalm 46:10 where it tells me to “Be Still, and know that I am God.” And it is then that I realize that God is not as much concerned about our ‘time-value of money’ than he is about the quietness of our soul.
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
When you hear this psalm I wonder how it makes you feel. Do you ever wonder what it must feel like to lack nothing, to rest in green pastures beside still waters? Have you ever experienced the surety of knowing that no matter where you go, the LORD will lead you down the right paths and that you will be protected from your enemies? There is nothing to worry about, nothing to fear, just supreme peace, joy, and rest.
Oh, how often I long for this still riverbank in my life, the place where I am free of worry, free of anxiety, and completely reliant on my LORD. Let’s daydream together for a moment…
I must tell you that the Lord has shown me that there is so much for me to learn and experience about the peace that he provides. There is a storehouse of immense peace that is available to us that I realize I am only eating the crumbs of. My prayer is that we might learn together how to partake with abundance the bountiful offering of peace that comes from our relationship with God.
When we think about peace, where does it originate? Is peace just an easy feeling of inner tranquility or is it more? Sometimes I think our understanding of what it means to have peace is off-kilter. Most assume that peace is an escape from difficulty or a numbness to the things that cause us grief or anxiety. Unfortunately, in our world there is such a longing for peace but few know how to receive. This search for an escape and numbing of reality has lead to the prominence of alcoholism, drug use, and the ever increasing rise in memberships to all-inclusive vacation resorts. They just want peace somehow, so running away seems to be the only answer.
When we read of David’s peace that we so long for in Psalm 23, is he escaping from his pressures? I don’t think so. David says “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil.” Even in the midst of his greatest distress, he has peace. No need for a beer, no need for a Mediterranean cruise vacation, he has true peace - - fascinating.
In all of history, believers that have experienced the greatest persecution and difficulty in life are the biggest proponents of God’s peace because they understand it the most and have needed it most often. Consider with me the apostle Paul. 5 times he received 40 lashes-1 from the Jews, 3 times beaten with rods, once stoned, 3 times shipwrecked, constantly on the move and in danger, imprisoned and chained, do I need to continue? Paul knew suffering, yet he had Supreme peace. In Philippians 4 he shows us:
He tells us that “…the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
That is comforting coming from a guy like that, isn’t it?
Peace often comes in the form a safeguard. Life insurance can bring us peace of mind. A warranteed home inspection can give us peace about a purchase. Our troops that serve our country allow us to have peace from danger. Consider a city with high/strong walls. Inside there is a peace-of-mind that comes from knowing that they are safe from attackers.
This was true for the city of Constantinople. If you are a history buff, you will know exactly what I am referring to. You might also have more to teach me because a history buff, I am not. I do know that Roman Emperor Constantine was converted to Christianity and eventually moved the capital of the Roman Empire to a small town in modern day Turkey now known as Istanbul. He renamed the city Constantinople and the people there lived in peace for 1123 years because of the fact that it was surrounded on three sides by water and was guarded by the most renowned, feared wall the world had ever seen. Nobody could penetrate this wall. Few tried because of the horror stories they heard. Eventually high powered modern technology won out, but this fortress did provide a security for generations and generations.
Do you know, this morning, that the fortress at Constantinople may crack, but a mighty fortress we have in our God, a bulwart that is never failing. Christ himself is our safeguard. No matter how hard our enemy may tear at our walls, no matter how much pain we may be under on this side of heaven, there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
Hear the words of Jesus:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” –John 16:33
It is hard to imagine that anyone could say they do not need peace or they have enough of it. Most of us would go to great extents to find it. So how do we get it? It’s not something that we can buy, people are already making a lot of money promising peace but it remains a need. It’s not something we get from taking a substance or running away from difficulties. It’s not even something we can find through denial. The apostle Paul, the great recipient of peace, teaches us the secret.
Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Before Paul tells us to give everything to God through prayer, he tells us to do 3 things.
First, he tells us to Rejoice. To find JOY in the Lord ALWAYS. Joy is the attitude of our heart that allows peace to enter.
Secondly, he tells us to interact with everyone with gentleness. How often do quarrels and arguments rob us of peace. Gentleness maintains our heart attitude.
Lastly, Paul gives us a reason to do these things. He reminds us that The LORD is near. He gives us the hope that we cling to, the reason why we live, the eternal celebration is so close.
Romans 15:33 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, be encouraged. Peace is real. Peace is attainable through Jesus. Frankly, He is the only way to real peace. So live with that peace that Paul says transcends all human understanding. Cling to the hope that you have in Christ Jesus our LORD. The difficulties that we face are understood by our father in heaven and He deeply cares for you.
May you live a life of righteousness toward God because as Isaiah 32:17 states:
“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”
