Peace

​I once lived in Point Loma, a beautiful community in San Diego.  The condominium my family lived in was located below the flight path of airplanes taking off from the San Diego Airport.  Often during the day we would have to stop all conversation and wait.  It was useless to talk because all words were buried beneath the explosive roar of jets fighting to gain elevation.  Pausing became a necessity for effective communication.  There is a lesson hidden somewhere in that reality. 

May I share an observation with you?  In the midst of mind-boggling technological advances in the most dynamic century in the history of mankind, many people are getting smoked.  That's right!  Millions of radiators are overheating and I'm not referring to cars.  The culprit of this massive overheating is undisciplined busyness, inadequate nutrition, and an unwillingness to schedule regular maintenance with the Chief Mechanic. 

Remember the commercial of the man besieged by one problem after another who finds his escape by climbing into his Honda?  He closes the door of his car and blocks out the chaos outside.  The great enemy of peace is often clamor.  For those who don't have Hondas, the method of escape may be to slump mindlessly before the television, spend hours in computer games, go shopping, compete in sports or engage in some recreational hobby. But these are not the nutritional supplements we need to gain true relief.  These are simply pursuits which take our minds off those activities and relationships which create stress or anxiety. 

The secret to achieving peace is not beyond our reach.  I will stake my life on the veracity of this next statement.  If you are serious about wanting peace in your life, set your mind to steadfastly following after God.  Give Him the beginning of your day for fellowship. Resist the false notion that you don't have time!  The reality is you can't afford not to invest time with God—if you really want peace. If your day looks to be incredibly busy, or your emotions swirl in frenzy, spend MORE time initially with Him. Then observe as He intervenes on your behalf.  Watch as the sacrifice you make for meaningful fellowship turns up the joy-meter in your heart. 

If you will faithfully study the Bible, make time for prayer and be willing to listen to the Holy Spirit—you will gain peace.  Will your problems go away?  Probably not—life is full of challenges.  Will everything work out?  Not necessarily the way you planned.  But peace does not mean the absence of conflict—or that we ski and never fall down. And peace definitely does not come by making excuses.  Peace is a resting condition of the heart.  It is an attitude that says, “Come on world give me your best shot.  You can’t shake me because my confidence is in my Father Who loves me and knows what is best for me—He is in control.”  When my mind is devoted to Him, my life is as placid as a lake in the early morning, regardless of what storms swirl around me. 

The antidote to discord is delighting in Jesus.  The cure for an agitated spirit is faith in Christ.  “ I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).  In the roar of right now, pause and consider—why not bend your knees and ask the Lord of life to massage your heart with the loving reality of His peace.  

Oh God, may You restore me to Your rest, the comfort of Your calm, so that I might gain Your peace that surpasses all understanding. 
​
Two hands each with two fingers extended in the shape of a V.  Christ already defeated sin and death.  He won the war and purchased your peace.  Give the peace sign to someone else and if they ask you “what’s up?” explain what Jesus did for you!
 
Meditation
Isaiah 26:3,4--You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. Trust in the Lord forever, because in Yah, the Lord, is an everlasting rock!
 
Inspiration
Reflected peace is the greatest evidence that I am right with God, for I am at liberty to turn my mind to Him.  If I am not right with God I can never turn my mind anywhere but on myself.—Oswald Chambers in Christian Discipline
 
©1998 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)