PEACE

PEACE

Scripture:  Proverbs 14:30 – “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh.”

Quote:  The truest manifestation of peace – a well-being that resonates from within despite the circumstances. – anonymous

Some Thoughts:  There is a story that once upon a time two different artists were requisitioned to paint a picture of peace for a prize of $250,000. If you were to paint a picture depicting peace, what would you paint?  Both of these artists’ paintings had water, trees, and birds in them. The first artist painted a serene painting of a lake with the sun glistening on the water.  The artist added trees on one side of the lake with birds resting in the tall branches, and a little girl skipping near the lake with a yellow balloon tied to her wrist.

The second artist painted a pitch-black sky with lightning zigzagging through the air.  There was water, but it wasn’t a peaceful lake.  The water in this painting showed waves roaring, and the trees in the painting were bent down and bowed, giving in to the wind.  At the bottom left-hand side of the painting, stood a little bird on a rock.  The artist depicted the bird as singing, its little head lifted and its mouth open.

Guess which painting won the competition.  The judges chose the second painting because it “showed the truest manifestation of peace – a well-being that resonates from within despite the circumstances.”

Our God is Jehovah Shalom, Lord of Peace.  Even though our situation may seem dark, pitch-black, with a storm raging all around, our Lord can give us a song of peace. This world can feel loud, busy, chaotic, and stressful, but God, Jehovah Shalom, offers peace as a gift.  A gift is not a gift if it is not received.   We must commune with God to experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.  We can come to Him and ask for Him to calm our hearts and minds, and with hands wide open, accept the gift He offers through the Holy Spirit.

Oh, to be like the little bird, standing on a rock, head lifted and singing praises despite the circumstances.

Prayer:  The psalmist says in Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” God, I give You the concerns of my heart today.  I believe that You are my Refuge.  I want to trust You with every thing in my life.  Help me lighten my grip on matters of insignificance, and, in matters of great importance and spiritual weight, let me be free to turn them over to You, my Provider, my Lord, my Rock. Amen.

 

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