Saturday, January 16, 2010

Peace

Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble. Psalm 119:165 [Holman Christian Standard Bible]

Peace—it is the ever-elusive, all-consuming desire of every person. It always seems just beyond our reach and an impossible goal in a world gone mad. But this Scripture gives a promise for peace that can easily be realized by anyone. It says that if we love God’s Word, we will have peace.
     The word for “peace” used here is the well-known Hebrew word shalom. We tend to think of shalom merely as a simple greeting. It does, of course, mean peace, safety, and tranquility. Yet inherent in the meaning of the word is completeness, wholeness, health, prosperity, fullness, rest, and harmony. Thus peace is much more than the absence of war and conflict; it is the wholeness that the entire human race seeks.
     Where do we need the wholeness of God’s peace in our lives? As we fall in love with His Word, peace will naturally be the by-product.
Spirit Filled Life Daily Devotional Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1993.

Monday, January 11, 2010

God's Direction

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 [HCSB]



I love the personality suggested by the pronoun in the text: He will guide you on the right paths. Behind the “He” of the ancient preacher is the God of the Bible. Because that is so, the “He” trembles with the tenderness of the Father’s love. No evil can baffle if He directs the path.… No opposition can overcome if He direct.…
     He has many ways of directing. He directs by obstacles placed across the way which I cannot overcome, and which drive me into a new way. He directs by clearing the obstacles away, which I thought could not be moved. He directs by delay, keeping me waiting long after I have heard His call to service. He directs by immediateness, flinging me out into a new position, wherein I must seek His guidance.… I state these contradictory things in order to throw you back upon this profound conviction; not from me nor from any man, must you take your rule of His direction. You must discover the rule for yourself in immediate relationship with Him. - G. Campbell Morgan, The Westminster Pulpit
Spirit Filled Life Daily Devotional Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1993.