Skip to main content

Steadfastness and

             You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

If you’re in Erie, you know that if the lake is on your right, you’re facing west. If you know the night sky well enough, you can follow the handle of the Big Dipper to the North Star and know which way is north. If you keep track of where the lake is or where the North Star is, you’ll be at peace, at least as far as your directions. Without a doubt, no matter where you live, there are means by which you can at least estimate directions. We tend to have a similar ease with a range of numbers. You’re unlikely to wonder whether two plus two will equal four this time.

Similarly, there are people with whom we are at perfect peace. We may not approve of or agree with what they do, but you have no doubt that they will continue to consistently do something. It might be that your confidence is in their continuing to breath, or turning right on red without stopping, arriving early/late, or saying something offensive about something. If someone doesn’t act as we expect, we have a crisis, whether minor or major.

The same is true with God. If we settle in our minds that He is as trustworthy as the North Star or two plus two equals four, we will know perfect peace, even if things aren’t peaceful. This isn’t magical, it’s simple psychology. When your mind is made up and focused on truth, there’s peace.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

The List

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen!

  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)            Do you like roller coasters? I don't. You spend forever climbing a hill. You get to the top and have half a second, then you race down to a low point. Sometimes the racing down involves tying your insides into knots. At the bottom, you either have to be dragged up another hill or you get off the ride. Peter's life was a roller coaster from the time he met Jesus. There would be miracles, and then Jesus would teach things that didn't always make sense, and then they'd go out and perform miracles, and return to be taught. Peter was praised for giving the right answer to "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus said that said answer came from God. Peter was at the top of the hill.            ...
Post a Comment
Read more