May 7, 2024

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” isa 26:3 nkjv   Who (or what) is competing for the peace that Yahweh intends for us to have? Even reading or watching the news can be a mind rattling issue… let alone the troubled lifestyles many experience wallowing in their constant addiction to social media… think about it. So many are emotionally absorbed in their fantasies, “role playing,” inciting [internalizing] self-inflicted mental and spiritual conflicts, that they immerse themselves in daily, as they try to navigate stormy interactions causing endless, ongoing confusion. Who do you think profits from their stress and suffering? Think, “opposite” the “He” who desires to keep them in His peace… So many do not know any relationship with Yahweh, and they have no idea what I am talking about.

“But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” isa 57:20 nkjv

I believe some “wicked” are born as such [ps 58:3];  and I think some become mad because of their addiction to conflict among family and acquaintances… sibling rivalry, jealously [think Cain/Able and Esau/Jacob], anger towards others, unforgiveness [a big one], rebellious envy… the list is much longer. But unless one has their heart and mind cleansed and renewed in Yahweh’s healing Word, their peace [a godly peace] will be far from them… the Psalmist writes: “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” ps 119:9 nkjv   The Word of Yahweh has powerful cleansing value… within our hearts and minds… It can restore our relationship with Yahweh and restore our peace.

I think pursuing peace is a choice… because our walk in faithfulness to Yahweh’s ways is a result of our choices, along with the help of the Holy Spirit. The wicked seem to choose otherwise:

“Let grace be shown to the wicked, Yet he will not learn righteousness; In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, And will not behold the majesty of the Lord.” isa 26:10 nkjv

Paul the Apostle in the first two chapters of Romans, lays the groundwork for understanding the just and the wicked… and after laying out the ways of the wicked and rebellious “workers of iniquity,” Paul says: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;” ro 1:28 nkjv

The battle for our sanity and peace is a mind set and practiced lifestyle that is in harmony with Yahweh and the brethren in the faith. Paul tells the Christians at Corinth:

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 cor 10:4-6 nkjv

I think it is quite interesting that our peace is a product of war… spiritual war, as the conflict is in the mind [inner spirit] and there are literal strongholds that try to impede our progress towards “peace.” A wise preacher once said, “peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of Christ.”

Yeshua knew all those who choose to walk in harmony with Him would face challenges and struggles that would test their faith and resolve to endure; He says it like this…

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” jn 16:33 nkjv

As we journey through the storms of life, let us remember our strength and victory over conflict and tribulation comes from “Christ in us, the hope of glory.” The enemy of our soul goes about “as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Our vanguard is our King Yeshua, who has made for us the way of peace in the storm… let us not take our eyes off from the promises and provisions that sanctify and preserve us here and in the world to come.

Shalom, John