peacemakers

 There are a lot of things happening in our world today, from a pandemic to outright riots and turmoil.  There are many who are afraid and hurt and others who are violent and lashing out.  We walk around in a world of uncertainty. There are also many who are dealing with overwhelming concerns for health, loved ones, finances and anxiety. There is so much that is pulling us into fear. But God says, in 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  He also cares about what we care about. 1 Peter 5:7 says, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  He cares more about us than we realize. He is the God who created us and sent His Son to die for us. He will not leave us, nor forsake us just because there is trouble. He takes care of his children.

Philippians 4:7 ⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

There is a peace from God that passes all understanding. His peace can keep us and sustain us through every trial and every situation. We can let our requests be made known to God and he answers them. He cares about you and what you care about. He hears our prayers and our hearts’ cry. He knows what we need and he knows how to pour peace into our hearts and minds. He knows the answer for our situation. He is the answer. He is our healer, our protector, our Savior. He is the one we can turn to and run to.

 

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

 

In this world, we are not immune to struggle and trials. We are not immune to the affects of others who choose to do wrong. We are not immune to sickness and even the violence that occurs. We may at times face these situations, but we can still stand on the Word of God and find a peace that no one can understand. I remember my grandmother telling about having two of her children in different hospitals, one dying from cancer and the other facing a heart defect that needed immediate surgery to save his life. She had every reason to fear. Yet, she turned to God. She prayed and trusted him for the outcome and the strength to endure through it all. As she went back and forth with my grandfather caring the kids still at home, and running between two different hospitals to check on her children, she found the peace of God. She was rather encouraging and praying with other parents in those hospitals. She was giving strength to others and had a testimony of God’s faithfulness and peace through it all. She would say it was God’s peace that brought her through.

 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

Jesus came to this earth and spoke words of compassion. He sacrificed his life and rose again that we might have hope and find salvation. He spoke that he overcame this world that we might have peace. We can be of good cheer even in the roughest of circumstances. We can be peace to others. We can speak life to others. We can share the hope we have in Jesus Christ and the reason we have the peace that only comes from him.  Our world needs peace. True peace only comes from God. True peace that fills our hearts and minds comes from the knowledge and experience of knowing God and his love. He is the Prince of Peace.

 

Matthew 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

 

We can speak share peace with those who are hurting. We can share peace with those struggling. We can speak peace to this world individually and as a whole. We can campaign for peace.  We can be a beacon of hope to a lost and dying world. We can be a peacemaker to those around us.  May we reach out to those around us to be the peacemaker in their lives. It may be one on one or a group that needs peace. But God has a peace for each of us if we call on him. May we find peace and be a peacemaker to those around us.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:16

 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

higher ground

 While flipping through an old hymnal, I came across the old song, Higher Ground by John Oatman Jr. It has a chorus that says, 

Lord Lift me up and let me stand, by faith on heaven's tableland. 

A higher plane than I have found. Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 

Each verse speaks of wanting to move forward and higher spiritually. It is a prayer for God to help us press onward, and not be bound by the doubts and fears in this world. I love the words and meaning of this hymn. 

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13‭-‬14 KJV

Paul wrote to the congregation in Phillipi about reaching forward and pressing forward. He said to forget the things behind and reach for the things that are before us. Paul understood struggle, attacks from the enemy, and from people. Yet, he still pushed upward. God has much in store for us when we press into him and push forward. This life tends to bring struggle and difficulty,  but God has the answer for it all. We can press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  We do not need to be bound by fear and doubt or bogged down living in struggle spiritually. We can rejoice in faith of God nd his blessing. There is  joy in the presence of the Lord. 

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Isaiah 58:14 KJV

We will find blessing and rest in the joy of the Lord as we push onward into the spiritual things he has for his people.  We can stand planted and firm in the promises of His Word, in his blessing and in faith.  What a joyous thought to know he will help me stand firm. He will bring us through all trials and strengthen us in faith and resolve, we only need to ask him. 

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalms 1:3 KJV

We will be planted in faith, growing in faith, and we will prosper in faith.  God wants us to be rooted and grounded, not blown about, torn apart and barely surviving  in our walk with him. He wants for us to be prosperous spiritually, full of faith, able to withstand every fiery dart the enemy sends our way. We do not need to fear what those darts can do when our faith is firm in Jesus. 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1 KJV

Don't look back at what was before, don't look around at the boisterous waves in this life. Stand firm, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. There is no thing in this world that can stand against him or us when we are standing in him.  We have higher ground and God who answers every prayer.  He will plant us on the higher ground so no flood in this broken world can overwhelm or destroy us.  Ask him to plant your feet on higher ground. Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 

cling to good

 Have you ever noticed that cling wrap will not stick to cheap plastic bowls?  I have two big plastic bowls that cost a dollar and I like to use them often. They are durable and light.  They hold a lot of food, but when I need to put it in the refrigerator,  I want to cover them with plastic, but the plastic wrap will not cling or stick.  Plastic wrap adheres or clings well to glass and to metal, but not to the cheaper plastic bowls.  It just will not work well.  

This made me think about what we try to cling to spiritually.  Are we holding on and clinging to true things of God, or something cheap or not what we really need?  

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Romans 12:9 KJV

Cleave is a word that means to cling to or adhere to, stick to it, hold on and not let go.  We are given this verse to cling to that which is good. 

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Psalms 63:8 KJV

Or in the NIV,  I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

We can cling to God, to His word, His promises. He will keep us and protect us.  He will never leave us or forsake us for he holds on to us as well. We can trust Him and place our faith in his goodness. 

Throughout the Bible and history, there are examples of those who do and do not cling to the goodness of God.

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

Jeremiah 8:5 KJV

The nation of Israelites, as a whole, had not clung to God. They had backslid into idol worship, and evil ways. They were ignoring God's word and promises. They were living a life that  glorified self, and whatever they wanted, they did.  They did not hold tight to God.  

Today, this is still true of many. People hold on to things that do not agree with God. It can be utter, complete denial of God, willful disobedience  to his word, or just holding on to pride and my own attitude.   What do I think is so important that I cannot let go and trust God's plan? What do I keep going back to? Do we put things or self first, rather than God?  Are we holding fast to pride, self, or other areas that God really wants to change or make new?  

We need to cling to the good things of God.  We cannot cling to cheap imitations. We cannot cling to things that will not last, nor help us in our pursuit of the holiness of God.  We can hold fast to God and his goodness for he will never fail and he will keep us in the palm of his hand. We can say as David did, "My times are in Your hand." (Psalms 31:15)  we can trust him, hold on and know he is holding on to us. 

Cling to that which is good. Let go of things that hinder or keep us from all the blessings of God. Hold fast to God.