Tuesday, May 20, 2008

peace on EVERY side


I mentioned earlier that i've been learning more about God's peace. In 2 Chronicles 20 it says...
12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face
this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are
upon you." 15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: `Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' 18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD.
if you read on, the Lord did fight the battle for them and they were slain. I love verse 30 though...

30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

God gave them rest (peace) on every side. What a wonderful picture. I read this recently and it was comforting:

"The safest sailor is certainly not one who has never weathered a storm. Wouldn't you want an experienced sailor at the critical post? Oh, how everything gives way when affliction first comes upon us. The clinging stems of our hopes are quickly snapped, and our heart lies overwhelmed and prostrate, like a vine the windstorm has torn from its trellis. But once the initial shock is over an we are able to look up and say, "it is the Lord" (John 21.7), faith begins to lift our shattered hopes once more and securely binds them to the feet of God. The final result is confidence, safety, and peace." Yes, peace ON EVERY SIDE!

Even though the pain, loss, grief is there....there is a peace on every side that i cannot and will not deny. For, "it is the LORD."

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