Meditation

04/16/2024

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust in you.” (Isaiah 26: 3)

Perfect peace is one of God’s gifts to those who trust in Him. Confidence in God rules out fear and anxiety over lesser things. Here, the prophet looked to peace in the last days. The mark of peace is ultimately individual rather than National. Peace is based on steadfast trust in Almighty God. Such trust produces internal personal peace, the only basis for peace on a larger scale. Proverbs 22:10 says: “Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.” International war grows out of personal strife. Such strife roots in insecure people who mock the achievements of others and in jealousy fight for undeserved attention. Society begins the road to peace when it helps these people change their ways.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, today’s focus is upon the question: “War Calls for the Application for Peace.” Way too often, wars begin when two parties decide they are right and will not take a step back, when the right answer is to bring them both to the negotiating table, instead of sending our youngest and finest men and women in to combat, for once you take the step towards war, war it will be, until after much loss of life, people realize that it is time to settle the fighting and bring both or all parties together to seek a peaceful end to the fighting and then turn towards settling the reason for the fighting ever took place. Guide our pathways Abba, and help us to see that fighting is the last result and not the first action. Today, bless all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world, especially in the Middle East, with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“If someone says something untrue about you, you must live life so that no one will believe it!”

KNOWING GOD:

“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; if will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken. All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of he Lord our God for ever and ever.” (Micah 4-1-5)

Micah joined Isaiah (2:1-4) to provide a provocative picture of God’s promised kingdom. Peace, not conflict, will be the rule of that time. Peace will attract the nations of the world to worship the one true God. God’s teaching will be the basis of peace and of setting international disputes. Weapons of war will become unnecessary, for will will vanish from the earth. Security at home and faithfulness to God will be the order of the day. God calls His people to share and work toward His vision of true peace.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ;The one I kiss is the man, arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi and kissed him. Jesus replied, ‘Friend, do what you came for.’ Then the men stepped forward seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of he high priest, cutting off his ear. ‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you thing I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’ At that time Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching,a nd you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfillled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26: 47-56)

Jesus’ arrest came at night, in His place of prayer, in secret, accompanied by Judas’ treachery, interrupted by violence, and concluded with the desertion of His disciples. The kiss was a typical way for a student to greet a teacher. Facing death, Jesus refused to use violence or to use supernatural powers or supporters to win His way.

Beloved in the New Testament Satan, or the devil, was understood to be a tempter who actively oppose God and His people. The New Testament presents a fuller description of Satan than did the Old Testament. This expanded understanding of Satan does not man God must divine His sovereign power and control of history with an equally powerful demonic god, not by a longshot. Satan hold considerable power in human history. He can even be called the “prince of this world” (John 12:31 “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”). He cannot force or tempt God to act against God’s will or unjustly. As Tempter, Satan provides human an alternative to serving God. This is part of human freedom. Jesus exercises His freedom to serve God and God’s purposes. He showed that Satan can be defeated. He further showed that accomplishing God’s purpose through Satan’s methods is completely wrong. Providing food for the hungry, displaying God’s power and will to care for His own, and establishing Christ’s kingdom are all part of God’s ultimate purpose. Each must be done under God’s leadership, not Satan’s, Satan will be giving swimming lessons in the “Lake of Fire” for all eternity!