Tag: I give

39.j. “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

 

 

Romans 15:13   Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 Isaiah 55:12   “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;

 John 14:1   “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

 John 14:27     Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

 Romans 5:5   and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

 Joel 3:16    The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people

Thanks to technology, we see the joy and celebrations of life that occur all over the world, but we also see the heartbreak and despair.  It is easy to be discouraged and disheartened by what we hear and see and experience. Wars, weather-related disasters, drought, famine, earthquakes, and not to mention cultural and societal moral decline. Abortion is defined as reproductive rights. Homosexuality and transgenderism is honored, celebrated, and promoted as an alternative lifestyle. Attempts to ban Christianity from schools and government are common.  Open hatred for God and things of God are common. How is a person to make sense of what is going on? Where is a person to find HOPE?  

We have an anchor and it doesn’t matter how hard the storms or currents rage. God is all-powerful and all-knowing and ever-present.  As disheartening and troublesome as life can be at times, HOPE in God never disappoints. Though our journey through trials may seem long and unbearable, hope in God gives us a peace that passes all understanding. 

Do not despair, worry, or fear what is going on in the world but rather keep your eyes focused on Jesus Christ and the word of God. There is nothing in this world that can remove the joy from a heart and mind that is fixed on Jesus Christ.

33.b. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you”

 

Job 34:29  When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?

 2 Samuel 7:1   Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,

 Isaiah 26:3  You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

 Isaiah 32:17   And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

 John 14:27     Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

 Romans 8:31    What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 Philippians 4:7   And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 2 Kings 18:12    because they did not obey the voice of the LORD their God but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. They neither listened nor obeyed.

 Psalms 13:1    How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

 Psalms 27:9   Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

 Psalms 30:7    By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.

 Psalms 143:7   Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

When God purposes to give rest, comfort, ease, or prosperity in any way to man, it is that soul that finds a quietness within their soul and there is nothing or no one that can take it away, though other men or Satan himself hard as they may try. God is in control of all things and He can bring peace or adversity upon a person or nation at His own pleasure. 

We may chase after worldly and fleshly things that we think will give us peace and quietness to our soul but in the end, they leave us unsatisfied and wanting. People write about how they have found peace and prosperity in a host of diverse ways and people who are searching for this peace and prosperity flock to them like bees to honey. They are ever searching and never finding that which only God can give and that which can only be found in humble service to Him. Oh, people may have temporary peace and prosperity in their life, but lasting contentment it is not.  

A believer should continually give thought to blessings from God and should know when it is that God has turned His face from them. The problem is that too many give no thought to either. They plod along in life as if there is no God and things happen by chance or fate. When a person does not acknowledge God or His control over all creation, how are they to find peace and quietness for their soul? 

God has all things under his control, and he can bring prosperity or adversity upon an individual or a nation at his own pleasure. Who then can make trouble? – literally, “Who can condemn, or hold guilty”. The sense is, that no one can overwhelm him with the consciousness of guilt, to whom God intends to give the peace resulting from his favor and friendship. Or, no one can bring calamities upon a man “as if” he were guilty, or so as to “show” that he is guilty, when God intends to treat him as if he were not. This is as true and sure as the sun rising and setting. When God designs to give peace to a man’s soul, and to impart to him the evidence that his sins are forgiven, there is no one who can excite in his mind the conviction of guilt, or take away the comfort that God gives. When he designs to “treat” a man as if he were his friend, and to impart to him such evidences of his favor as shall convince the world that he is his friend, there is no one who can prevent it. (Barnes)

If we are to find this peace and quietness of our souls, it is only in and through God. When a soul purposefully surrenders to humbly serving, following, trusting, obeying, and relying on Jesus Christ the peace of God that passes all understanding is theirs.

Take heart

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,”

John 16:33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Acts 14:22    strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 11:25     choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

1 Peter 5:9     Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

2 Timothy 3:12    Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

John 14:27     Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Psalms 85:8     Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.  Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.  Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.

Ephesians 2:14       For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility  by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.  And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Philippians 4:7     And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13:20     Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,  equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Romans 8:37     No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Note the times reference is made to: “tribulation, hostility, sin, broken down, persecuted, more than conquerors, strengthening, guarding your heart, resisting, peace that passes all understanding and not being afraid”.  Why would we think this world give us any hope of peace when God’s world indicates, that this side of eternity, our world is far from peace apart from Him.   If we are active in our pursuit of humbly serving Him we will see the world as it is – apart from God.  The world we live in is not at peace with God.   Man has gone on his own path which does not serve God.  If we are at peace with what is going on in the world I think we are blind and deaf.  Staying in God’s word, with a bright light, the Holiness of God and the sinfulness of mankind is very clear.  We choose paths that give no peace, and when issues and troubles of this life pounce on us our strength to handle them is depleted very quickly.  In our own strength we can do very little, and even less things of God.  His purpose and plan for us is found in His word.  Do not go through life complacent and neglecting Him and His word.  There will always be things of this world battling for your time, effort, thoughts, and actions.  Give time to His word and the Holy Spirit will lead you in paths of peace and comfort.