Monday Morning Devotion-April 22,2019
The Continuing Gift
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7,19
Peace. It's a wonderful thing. Sometimes peace, as in "peace-of-mind" is hard to come by. We get something on our mind that is bugging us and it is hard to let go of it. Maybe we have a difference of opinion with someone and even though we know we are right (we're always right, huh?) it is hard to find peace in the outcome. Even if an argument is resolved in our favor maybe we still have difficulty letting go of it and attaining peace of mind.
Sometimes it takes a war to bring about peace. When countries have a disagreement, fighting breaks out. Unfortunately, in that case the price that is paid is calamitous.
Finding peace is hardly ever easy. In fact, the Bible uses the word easy only once. In his blog: "Fighting Soul Fatigue" John Ortberg says that the only place in the Bible where the word easy is found came from Jesus when he beckoned us to: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Ortberg says that easy is a soul word, not a circumstance word. The soul was not made for an easy life. The soul was made for an easy yoke. And yet our souls seem to suffer fatigue.
Ortberg points out that there are different kinds of soul fatigue that make finding peace difficult. There is the kind of fatigue that attacks the body. Maybe we stay up too late or get up too early or push ourselves too hard during the day.
Then there's the kind of fatigue that attacks the mind. We may be bombarded with an overload of information. Have a to do list that is too big. We just get weary and sometimes want to give up.
There is also a kind of fatigue that attacks the will. So many decisions to make wear us down. Work decisions, vacation decisions, money decisions, entertainment decisions and the list can go on and on.
All these categories of fatigue can make us feel separated from God. So, what did Jesus do? He had several practices that battle fatigue and gave Him peace. He allowed' God's grace to replenish his spirit by praying, participating in community with His disciples, engaging in corporate worship, meditating on scripture and enjoying God's creation. All these spiritual practices rested His soul. They are ones that can lead to peace in our lives.
That's why Jesus said: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
That's why Ortberg says: "Don't pray for a calm lake with no storms, pray for Jesus to be in the boat with you."
Sarah Young tells why having Jesus in the boat in tumultuous times is the answer. "Peace is His continual gift to us. It flows abundantly from His throne of grace. Gather it daily. He gives us peace that is sufficient for the present…He has designed us to meet him moment-by-moment.
When the Israelites were in the wilderness, with no grocery stores around, they were grumbling because even though they were safely brought out of Egypt where they had been slaves now they felt like they were facing starvation.
God heard their grumbling and he said to Moses: "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: "At twilight you will eat meat and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God." (Exodus 16)
So that evening quail came from the heavens and covered the camp. Then in the morning they received bread. Along with all this they were instructed that each should only take what his family could eat that day and for them not to save any for the next day.
Those who disobeyed and saved food found that it was filled with maggots and began to smell. They were being taught to trust God daily. Not to worry about the future or grumble about the past. He would be there with them every day.
This is a good object lesson for us. Sometimes we worry too much about the future, where we will be living, if we will have enough money, will our kids stay out of trouble and run in the right circles. Many things that we have no control over can plague us and destroy our peace of mind.
God says: "I've got this. Trust me."
We are to give thanks daily for the life that we enjoy. Learning to appreciate more of his gifts that day rather than worrying about what's going to happen in the future.
This is not to say that we are not to make plans. It is to say that as we formulate those plans we need to commit them to the Lord. If they are in His will and honor Him and are good for us He will bring them to a successful conclusion. No need to worry.
In "Jesus Calling" Sarah Young points out: "As your awareness of your neediness increases, so does your realization of My abundant sufficiency. I can meet every one of your needs without draining My resources at all. Approach My throne of grace with bold confidence, receiving My Peace with a thankful heart."
Peace! That is the continuing gift from the Lord. Be thankful and enjoy it.
Prayer: Lord thank you for the peace that surpasses all our understanding. Amen!