Peace [20100301]

The month of March I'll be teaching on peace. Just to sit back and observe the world right now we aren't seeing much peace. Well, let's take a look at the definition of peace to get started:

• harmonious relations; freedom from disputes; "the roommates lived in peace together"
• the absence of mental stress or anxiety
• the general security of public places; "he was arrested for disturbing the peace"

This week we'll look at harmonious relations. God's word tells us:
1 Kings 4:24-25
24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him. 25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
Psalm 4
 8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
         For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Proverbs 16
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD,
      He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Ecclesiastes 3
8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
      A time of war,
And a time of peace.
Isaiah 32
18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,
      In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places
[emphasis with underlining mine].

Well, there it is! To hear some they'd say they live securely and safely. To hear others they'd say they are in fear for their lives. If you recall David and his song of Psalms; he feared for his safety when his life was in danger. He fled and hid to protect himself. You don't hear much of that these days.

I can remember as a child hiding for fear of my safety. Sounds odd, huh? Well, when you're being abused you find ways to defend yourself against harm. You see it all through the Psalms as David fled and hid. How many of you, not in war zones, can say you flee/fled for your life for security?

David sought the peace of the The LORD. So can we. There's no reason for us to battle against one another. When we have the peace of God/The Holy Spirit within us we should live in peace amongst one another. It's a battle of the flesh and the adversary we need to suit up in our armor of The LORD. As it states in Ecclesiastes 3:8. There's a time for war and a time for peace. We all need a rest and we all need to feel secure. Without the security and peace from God our life would be total chaos and mayhem. Prov 16:7 says that when God is pleased with us HE even makes our enemies to be at peace with us.

That goes back to us being obedient to God living a life worthy of God.

What kind of life are you living? Is it pleasing to God? My life at times is chaotic. I need to re-evaluate and re-establish my vertical alignment and get my priorities right. It's then that I feel at peace and feel secure.

Until next time, peace out!