“Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him,
and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’
For the LORD has ransomed Jacob
and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall be like a watered garden,
and they shall languish no more.
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy;
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance,
and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,
declares the LORD.”
(Jeremiah 31:10-14 ESV)
Joy. It is often expressed with singing, shouting, even dancing. In its truest form it is a response to Who God Is and what He has done; it is taking pleasure in Him. In this prophetic picture of the restoration of Israel, we have a picture of abundance, with all sorts of outward expressions of joy. But the most telling comment is the one at the end - when God's people are satisfied with God's goodness, when He is enough, all we need - when He is our pleasure.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Monday, December 7, 2015
A song of Joy for the whole day...
By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas;
the one who by his strength established the mountains,
being girded with might;
who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples,
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
(Psalm 65:5-8 ESV)
In this song, the psalmist views the created world as capable of having joy. In this last verse he says that the whole day, morning until evening, is made to shout for joy. God wants joy for our day, all day. If the inanimate mountains and seas can look out and see joy, how much more should we, as we consider the greatness of God, our salvation and our hope. If we will stand in awe of Him, joy will fill our hearts.
O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas;
the one who by his strength established the mountains,
being girded with might;
who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples,
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
(Psalm 65:5-8 ESV)
In this song, the psalmist views the created world as capable of having joy. In this last verse he says that the whole day, morning until evening, is made to shout for joy. God wants joy for our day, all day. If the inanimate mountains and seas can look out and see joy, how much more should we, as we consider the greatness of God, our salvation and our hope. If we will stand in awe of Him, joy will fill our hearts.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Peace on Earth
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel 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 2:10-14 ESV)
A quiet home. The hum of the refrigerator. The tick of the clock. Sometimes peace seems obvious. Sometimes it does not. These shepherds were afraid - for their safety, their jobs, their future, and at this point, their lives. Peace is not the absence of noise or concern or uncertainty, but the conquering of fear when Someone enters the scene. He is here; he is in control; all will be well with my soul. Peace to you.
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
(Luke 2:10-14 ESV)
A quiet home. The hum of the refrigerator. The tick of the clock. Sometimes peace seems obvious. Sometimes it does not. These shepherds were afraid - for their safety, their jobs, their future, and at this point, their lives. Peace is not the absence of noise or concern or uncertainty, but the conquering of fear when Someone enters the scene. He is here; he is in control; all will be well with my soul. Peace to you.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
The Pathway to Peace...
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:4-9 ESV)
Paul tells us here at least two things contribute to peace in our lives: Prayer and Practicing the positive promises of God. When we pray with thankful hearts, God works peace in our hearts. And when we practice what God has revealed as good and right, peace also prevails. Can I hear a little "Trust and Obey" in the background???
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:4-9 ESV)
Paul tells us here at least two things contribute to peace in our lives: Prayer and Practicing the positive promises of God. When we pray with thankful hearts, God works peace in our hearts. And when we practice what God has revealed as good and right, peace also prevails. Can I hear a little "Trust and Obey" in the background???
Friday, December 4, 2015
Figuring this Peace thing out...
Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
(Luke 7:44-50 ESV)
Jesus' words troubled many people; especially those who trusted in their own righteousness. His response to Jesus was the exact opposite of this woman, who recognized her own sinfulness and Jesus' holiness. She welcomed Him as Savior. When He tells her to "go in peace", she is receiving what we all need and long for: forgiveness, knowing we are safe(saved), assured that all will be well. Simon, the host, was left with no such peace, because He refused the righteousness God has provided in Christ. Christ came to give peace. May we recognize and receive it.
Jesus' words troubled many people; especially those who trusted in their own righteousness. His response to Jesus was the exact opposite of this woman, who recognized her own sinfulness and Jesus' holiness. She welcomed Him as Savior. When He tells her to "go in peace", she is receiving what we all need and long for: forgiveness, knowing we are safe(saved), assured that all will be well. Simon, the host, was left with no such peace, because He refused the righteousness God has provided in Christ. Christ came to give peace. May we recognize and receive it.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Righteousness and Peace...
For the palace is forsaken,
the populous city deserted;
the hill and the watchtower
will become dens forever,
a joy of wild donkeys,
a pasture of flocks;
until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,
and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation,
in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
(Isaiah 32:14-18 ESV)
Isaiah watched his world crumble around him. The government was corrupt; the people were immoral; wars and violence increased. Yet he also was given words of hope and comfort that some day there would be peace. What God makes increasingly clear to him and to us is the relationship of peace to righteousness. This right-relatedness to God and others is the only thing that brings true peace into our lives and our world. Nothing else "works". Everyone wants peace; we want this wholeness, completeness, this security of knowing all is and will be well. First must come righteousness through faith in Christ.
the populous city deserted;
the hill and the watchtower
will become dens forever,
a joy of wild donkeys,
a pasture of flocks;
until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,
and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation,
in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
(Isaiah 32:14-18 ESV)
Isaiah watched his world crumble around him. The government was corrupt; the people were immoral; wars and violence increased. Yet he also was given words of hope and comfort that some day there would be peace. What God makes increasingly clear to him and to us is the relationship of peace to righteousness. This right-relatedness to God and others is the only thing that brings true peace into our lives and our world. Nothing else "works". Everyone wants peace; we want this wholeness, completeness, this security of knowing all is and will be well. First must come righteousness through faith in Christ.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Help Lord! I need Peace...
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.
Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the LORD.
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”
You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
(Psalm 4 ESV)
David was up against a wall, with many out to get him. How did he live all those years on the run, How did he sleep at night. Even though his mighty men of valor protected him, he knew how vulnerable he was (he himself had more than one opportunity to take out King Saul unprotected.) Where did David find peace? "You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Peace. Deep down within we want it more than any exciting thing in our lives. To be able to sit quietly, knowing all is well and will be well when we get up tomorrow. Thou we all seek it (and are often told in Scripture to do!), it is something we cannot make, earn, buy or steal; it must be received. Call out to Him. Know Who He is and you are. Peace.
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.
Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the LORD.
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”
You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
(Psalm 4 ESV)
David was up against a wall, with many out to get him. How did he live all those years on the run, How did he sleep at night. Even though his mighty men of valor protected him, he knew how vulnerable he was (he himself had more than one opportunity to take out King Saul unprotected.) Where did David find peace? "You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Peace. Deep down within we want it more than any exciting thing in our lives. To be able to sit quietly, knowing all is well and will be well when we get up tomorrow. Thou we all seek it (and are often told in Scripture to do!), it is something we cannot make, earn, buy or steal; it must be received. Call out to Him. Know Who He is and you are. Peace.
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