Peace in the storm can only be God's.

People love to talk about peace. Everybody wants it. And who can argue with that?

But what are we really asking for?

• an absence of all aches
• an assurance of ease
• a break in the battle
• a cessation of scorn
• a conclusion to all concerns
• a cutoff of all crises
• a downtime for all disappointments
• a finish to frustrations
• a freedom from all frays
• a halt to hostility
• a hiatus from hate
• a pause of pain
• a remission of rivalries
• a stop to all storms
• a time-out from troubles
• a waning of worries
• or just a good night’s sleep?

What do we mean by peace?

It seems as if crowds flashing peace signs and crowing for peace may not have a sturdy handle on what they’re even asking. Have we missed the mark? Dictators and demagogues may point to momentary lulls as badges of honor, as if they’ve achieved peace. Others claim they can offer us peace, if we will follow their leads, vote in their favor, or buy into whatever they’re selling. But if we look closer, we are likely to find certain crises still prevailing and troubling concerns continuing. 

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“They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:14, NIV)

Is peace even possible?

The storms continue to rage. Maybe it will ever be so, at least until the Lord’s Kingdom comes into full view. And yet God promises peace to His people.

We know He can do it. We can quote chapter and verse on instances where He calmed the waves, healed the sick, cast out demons, and worked many other miracles to bring His answer of peace to those who sorely needed it.

What about us, Lord?

Perhaps the peace the Lord offers is unlike anything we may have imagined. Maybe He’ll stand and still the storm around us, but maybe He won’t. Perhaps He’ll offer us His strikingly supernatural peace right in the middle of the maelstrom.

We may still have to slog through rivers, wade through rough waters, swim upstream, and flail through fires – either proverbially or literally. Flames of angry words and unfair attacks, wild storms of medical crises, wild waves of career upsets, hurricanes of hurt feelings and upsetting emotions, and smoldering embers of broken relationships may persist.

But the One who can calm the harshest gale with a single word is willing to walk through all of these perils with us.

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“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1b-3a, NIV)

God, give us a glimpse of Your peace, even in the middle of the storms in which we live.

 

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Feasting among foes: Is it biblical?

Although believers are commanded to reach out to others with the gospel of grace (see Matthew 28:16-20 and other spots), the Bible also warns us about shunning outright evil (see Job 1:8 and 28:28, as well as Proverbs 3:7-8 and 14:16). The Apostle Paul exhorted the Corinthian church especially to avoid ongoing association with fellow believers who refused to turn away from obvious sins (see 1 Corinthians 5).

Sometimes it’s a necessity. It may be impossible to break away from such company – at least, for a season.

Maybe it’s a disgruntled roommate. It could be an unpleasant neighbor. It might even be an abusive family member. And the question may not be one of such folks’ own faith or personal conduct (which really isn’t up to us), but of outright hostility to us for our faith or some other reason. It could even be a matter of a certain individual’s own psychological baggage from the past.

And, at least for the moment, we’re stuck in a prolonged period with such a one.

Hey, you probably get it. We’ve just come through the holiday season.

Although December is a month of merriment for many, plenty of people endure unfavorable interactions, especially in extended family gatherings.

Simply put: Life may include times when we cannot help but break bread (or spend time) with those who berate, belittle, browbeat, and betray us. We may have to make nice (even for a while) with those who degrade, disregard, disrespect, or dishonor us.

Today, I’m looking at Psalm 23:5a in a way I never considered it before.

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“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

Just yesterday, someone lashed out at me for someone else’s minor misstep that apparently represented his own last straw. Hurtful words exceeding even the dreaded F-bombs (Yes, that’s possible.) circled around me. I just happened to be there, in his wake, as words and fragile objects were hurled about.

I’m reluctant to haul off and call someone like that an actual enemy. But the unsolicited attack still hurts. (I cringe every time.) So the verse seems to fit.

Jesus feels our pain. It’s His pain too.

And He feeds us and sustains us, especially in those tough times. He prepares a place for us in His own presence, surrounding us with His acceptance and grace and mercy and love – even while others try to bring us down.

Someday God may call us to shake the sand off our proverbial sandals and walk away from such opposition. But He might not. In the meantime, how far are we willing to loan our cloaks and carry those packs? Can we continue to turn the other cheek, when someone persists in kicking us in the proverbial other-kind-of-cheek?

But we may still have to show up, even if others aren’t willing to grow up.

If we’re wise (and in our best moments of mental clarity and solid discretion), we’ll try hard to hold our peace on certain subjects around those who oppose or assail us. Dogs like to fight over prized items (see Matthew 7:6). So there’s that.

Can we break bread with such folks without being broken beyond repair?

Prisoners of war still eat in their cells, even though their captors lurk by the doors. Maybe, on a much smaller scale, this is sort of the same idea for some of us. And maybe we can turn that notion into intercession for those whose very lives are imperiled in such ways.

God, grant us grace. All of us.

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Helpful – God's character from A to Z

Hi – de – ho – de – hum! What a hairy week this has been. Honestly, I am feeling a little hard-boiled right about now. And I have a horrific headache. Maybe you know the feeling.

But God is still holy. He is higher than all the hassles, heartaches, and horrors that life can hurl at us. He has us in His hands.

God is helpful.

“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me.” (Psalm 54:4, NIV)

Hang on to Jehovah! He is our help. We can find our hope in Him. And it’s a hope that holds.

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Bible verse graphic – created on quote generator

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