Friday, June 1, 2018

"To Continue in Peace"

"To Continue In Peace"

   
    When we see sin, wrong, and injustice, it should trouble us.  A place exists in believers for being hurt, concerned, and even righteously angry, especially when we see people being hurt by wrong.  If opportunity allows, we also act to alleviate suffering or correct wrongs.

    "I beheld the transgressors and was grieved" (Psalm 119:158).

    There are many matters, however, about which we have no control or recourse.  Be it personal, or related to family, friend, acquaintance, or larger issues of society, what do we do when it seems we can do nothing?  First, we determine that our concern will not keep us from walking in God's peace.  "Be ye angry and sin not" commanded the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 4:26).  Again, awareness of wrong inevitably lead to emotional response of some form and measure.  However, we do God, others, or ourselves no favors when we descend into pits of overwhelming sorrow or anger.  We rather arise in our hearts to remember that nothing takes our Lord by surprise.  Nor does He fail to "work all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11).  How He does this is surely beyond our comprehension.  "O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33).  Our need is not to understand, but rather to remember and affirm the Word of God and its clear declaration of the God who weaves all things into the fulfillment of the "eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:11).   As the saying goes, we trust God's heart when we cannot understand His hand.  We also trust that He is wise enough, present enough, involved enough, and powerful enough to "work all things together for good to them that love God, and who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

    We will feel as did the Psalmist when we behold transgressors and their transgressions.  We also do something when possible, according to the love of Christ as defined by Scripture.  Moreover, in those times when we can seemingly do nothing, we actually do much.  We trust God, continue to walk in peace even amid feelings of disturbance, and thereby exemplify the truth of God's grace known by faith in both light and darkness.  We can be confident that nothing escapes our Heavenly Father's attention or His coordination of all things for the glory of the Lord Jesus and the benefit of His trusting children.  This is peace, the peace that "passeth all understanding," and this is the demeanor and attitude that reveals God's involved presence and working in all things.


"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
 (Philippians 4:6-7)   


Weekly Memory Verse
   The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
(Proverbs 28:1)
  

     

  
  

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