BETTER IS PEACE!

 

Sunday, February 20, 2022

 

BETTER IS PEACE!

 

          I find myself on many occasions taking inventory of my circumstances and too often I fail to count properly. This morning I decided to check with Solomon who seems to be an expert in the matter. He comments on many things in this life and introduces each one with the words BETTER IS…

 

Eccl 4:6

6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

 

          We live in a grasping world and competition is fierce. Only two people prevail. One is the obvious winner of the race, and the other has simply found peace. Of all the trophies a man may collect peace is the most prized. Solomon, of all men, would be able to speak to this issue.

 

Eccl 6:9

9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

 

          Solomon had accumulated power and wealth enough to cause envy to cease and boredom to move in and unpack her bags. He had hundreds of wives and that should have provided enough to make most of us blush. But it was peace that seemed to elude him and it was peace that he highly prized.

 

          Peace comes when we know that our pursuits are pure, and our methods are honorable. None can accuse Jesus of anything but success whether he was feeding 5000 on a hillside or speaking with only one tortured woman at a well. Jesus was relational in His ministry. He touched lepers, hugged children, and formed a spit ball to restore the blind. He was a hands-on guy. It is hard to look a crowd in the eye!

 

          Peace comes when one’s pace is slow enough to observe beauty. No music is sweeter than the timpani of thunder and rain on a roof. No beauty is more lovely than the flowers when they grow. Solomon must have longed for his childhood when the pressures of the kingdom did not assault his ears and sully his view.

 

Eccl 4:13

13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

 

Dear Lord, regardless of my age, let me be like a little child. Let me carefully avoid becoming an old and foolish man who thinks he knows it all. Let me pursue peace and find it.  AMEN

HE IS MY SHEILD!

 

Saturday, February 19, 2022

 

HE IS MY SHEILD!

 

Ps 3:2-4

2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

 

          It doesn’t matter who, or how many, doubt God’s help -- as long as you keep the faith! David looked around and realized that things were bad and getting worse. “For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.” Ps 31:13-14

 

          He is my Shield! The storms of life and the fiery darts of the Wicked One assault us in many forms—demonic oppression, illness, financial worries, weaknesses of many kinds. But our great Shield protects us from them all. Just as at the cross, Christ stands in for us and is able to take the fierce onslaught of all evil, sin, and death.

 

          He is my Glory! He is the source and cause of all my honor. I am nothing and have done nothing to deserve the attention and accolades that I receive. Even my most brilliant success is only evidence of His power working in me.

 

          He is the Lifter up of my head! The circumstances of life and the opposition those who should be friends may discourage me, but he gently reaches down and lifts my chin with His tender hand. He looks deep into my eyes and then gives me an approving smile. I hear Him say: “I’ve got this! It will be OK!”

 

          Think about it! Warren Wiersbe comments on the strange little word “Selah.” “This is the first use of "Selah" in Scripture (vv. 2, 4, 8); it is used seventy-one times in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk 3. Hebraists aren't agreed whether it comes from words meaning "to lift up" or "to be silent." If the first, then it might be a signal for louder voices or the lifting and blowing the trumpets, perhaps even the lifting of hands to the Lord. If the second, it could signal a pause, a moment of silence and meditation.

(From The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)

 

Dear Lord, be my shield today. You are my glory. You encourage me when I am cast down. Let me think about this all the day long. AMEN

JEHOVAH – SHAMMAH!

 

Friday, February 18, 2022

 

JEHOVAH – SHAMMAH!

 

Ezek 48:35

35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there.

 

          The children of Israel were nearing the end of their captivity in Babylon. They had been there so long that enthusiasm for Jerusalem had begun to wane. Ezekiel had earlier predicted the destruction of the Temple but now he is carried away in Spirit to Jerusalem and he returns with a message of encouragement. Jehovah – Shammah! The Lord is there!

 

          In captivity, their song had departed from them, and they were taunted by their captors. God had punished but not abandoned His people. He was still there in that place he preferred.

 

Ps 137:1-6

137 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

4 How shall we sing the Lord 's song in a strange land?

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

 

          Dear child of God, perhaps you too are nearing the end of your own personal captivity! Can you feel it? There is an electric energy that, beyond evidence, tells you that it is almost over. Now news comes to reassure you that God is there!

 

John 14:16-18

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

 

Oh God who keeps promises, thank you for being there. Thank you for being here. Let me sense your presence in my life today. AMEN