TWO VISIONS OF PEACE
Two artists were each asked to create a painting that illustrated “PEACE”. The first artist painted a beautiful scene of a field in the country on a spring day. Flowers and foliage dotted a lush landscape illuminated by a bright sun in a clear sky.
The second artist created a portrait of a seaside cliff with rocky, jagged edges. The water was choppy, and the sky was filled with dark clouds. A streak of lightening descended from the sky to the water. Battered trees along the cliff were bent under the force of the winds of the coming storm. An unusual portrayal of peace to say the least.
The scene did not appear to embody anything peaceful. Yet, tucked into the crevice of the cliff were two bird’s safe in their nest. They appeared untouched by the forces of nature raging around them.
Life is much like the scenes in both paintings. Peace can be found in both beauty and harmony. And what a joy it is when we have that kind of peace in the good and easy times of our life. But peace can also be found in the faith you possess, when the world around you is chaotic and tumultuous.
Jesus said this to his apostles and it is a great comfort to me as well: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
To the Church at Philippi, Paul wrote these encouraging words: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing 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 4:4-7)
So please keep in mind that even though you are going through some hardship in your life and its seems that your world is turning upside down you can still be at peace with God and in your soul by laying it all at Jesus feet. Let the winds of evil, disease, sickness, tragedy or despair blow and you can be calm through it all because he is by your side.
The LORD Jesus promised us tribulation, while we were in this world. “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.” (John 16:33).
However, not only have we been promised deliverance from the “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape ALL these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36), but we have been promised His peace while we endure these short testing’s in the meantime.
Perfect Peace is given only to those whose mind and heart recline upon the LORD, i.e., “whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3). Our peace is perfect because it comes from God. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14:27). Further, this peace is not oblivious to the world, but is confident that God is completely in control of our circumstances. “But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
How are we to attain and maintain Perfect Peace?
First of all, peace is evidence that we are walking in the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Second, peace comes from abiding in the Word of God. “Great peace have they which love Thy Law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165).
Finally, the peace that the LORD Jesus Christ gives, flows from a life that abides in prayer. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing 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).
May you live each day so that at the end of the day you can lay your head upon your pillow and know that whatever happens through the night, “all is well with your soul!” That is true peace of mind.
I pray that today has been a great day of worship for you and that you have been able to meet with brothers and sisters and enjoy the peace we have in worshipping God. May this new week bring you peace.
In closing I would share with you these words: “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” (2Cor. 13:11)
PEACE IN THE VALLEY by Thomas Dorsey
Well, I’m tired and so weary But I must go along
Till the Lord comes and calls me away
Where the morning’s so bright And the Lamb is the light
And the night, night is as fair as the day.
There will be peace in the valley for me some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, Oh Lord I pray
There’ll be no sadness. No sorrow, no trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me.
Well, the flowers will be blooming and the grass will be green
And the skies will be clear and serene Where the sun ever beams
In this valley of dreams and no cloud will be seen.
There will be peace in the valley for me some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, Oh Lord. I pray
There’ll be no sadness No sorrow, no trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me.
Well, the bear will be gentle and the wolf will be tame
And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh
And the beasts from the wild Shall be led by a child
And I’ll be changed, Changed from this creature that I am.
There will be peace in the valley for me some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, Oh Lord I pray
There’ll be no sadness No sorrow, no trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me
THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK…..
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa
Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.
Ronald Reagan
Love and peace of mind do protect us. They allow us to overcome the problems that life hands us. They teach us to survive… to live now… to have the courage to confront each day.
Bernie Siegel
God Bless Us All
Raymond L. Stiner