Peace in These Trying Times…

 

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,

On those who hope in His mercy,

To deliver their soul from death,

And to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

For our heart shall rejoice in Him,

Because we have trusted in His holy name.

Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,

Just as we hope in You.—Psalm 33:18-22

Paul wrote this in Philippians 1 and 4 respectively:  “For to me, to live is Christ”  and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Ironically, the sweatshirt I am wearing today reflects just those words of Paul. And as I read Psalm 33:18-22 this morning, it was these inspired words of Paul that also came to mind. 

Paul had a single-mind devoted to Christ. If he had a sweatshirt it would say…Single heartedly devoted to my Jesus.  He stayed His heart on Christ and therefore enjoyed peace in the midst of “terrible” circumstances.

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace—Romans 8:6

Paul says this in Philippians 3:

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:12-14

What is the goal for the prize that Paul speaks of here?  Christlikeness….and isn’t that exactly what we, as believers want, in the midst of this crazy, mixed up world of ours?  He then goes on and urges his readers to follow his example. 

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.—Philippians 1:15-17

I don’t know about you but I want to emulate Paul who imitated His Lord. I want peace in my circumstances. I want peace in these trying times where evil is called good and good called evil.  I don’t want to look to the left or to the right but straight up to my God because that is where my peace is found and underneath are His beautiful, everlasting arms. 

Beloved…refuse to be hurried.  Stay your heart, mind and soul on God. Immerse yourself in His word daily. Let it be your strong habitation to which you can continually resort. Jesus is the Word. He will be a lamp to your feet and light to your path. His people will dwell in peaceful habitations, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. He in whom is everlasting strength will keep those who look to Him in perfect peace. They will be radiant…their faces unashamed. 

So slow down. Be still. Don’t get caught up in the microcosm of your life or in the never ending news cycle frenzies. God is on the throne. Abide in His love and obey His word. Make everything in your life about Him and not about you. Trust Him with your heart.  Trust Him with the people in your life….trust Him in your circumstances and trust Him with your future. Do the work He has called you to do. His eyes are on those who fear Him and hope in His mercy. Wait for Him. Rejoice in Him. He is your help and your shield. If God is for you, who can be against you. 

Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,

Just as we hope in You.—Psalm 33:22

He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous;

But they are on the throne with kings,

For He has seated them forever,

And they are exalted.—Job 36:7

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will guide you with My eye.

Do not be like the horse or like the mule,

Which have no understanding,

Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,

Else they will not come near you.—Psalm 32:8-9

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,

And His ears are open to their cry.—Psalm 32:15

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.—Psalm 121

Unto You I lift up my eyes,

O You who dwell in the heavens.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,

As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,

So our eyes look to the LORD our God,

Until He has mercy on us.—Psalm 123:1-2