Peace beyond understanding

When I first “re-found” Jesus in 1979, I had a chance to go to a Spiritual Learning Camp called CFO. It was really quite a experience. Amazingly gracious people, strong in the Lord, putting up with all us Newbies, who thought we knew it all. Anyway, one of the spiritual exercises was to try and use whatever talent you had create something to express and share Christ. (craft, poem, etc.)

Well, I wasn’t sure what to do, I’ve never been very craft oriented, other than eating glue at a young age. Was a little afraid of poetry, because my spelling was awful. So I decided to try and write a song. It was one of the first times I had attempted songwriting, and I’d never tried to write a “Christian” song.  But try I did. It borrowed rather shamelessly from Ronnie Milsap songs of the late 1970s, but I made it through. Part of the chorus went:

“Is the Lord at the top of your life, what a blessing it is to believe,

That if we give to Him our everything, there’s so much more to receive.”

I think it is safe to say, I’m glad I kept trying to get better with songwriting after that! But that song is still special to me because it reminds me of what it felt like to be brand new in my Christian walk. The joy. The feeling for being loved so much it was overwhelming at times. And most of all, the peace. All of these things seemed to completely envelop me, and I walked in them, even though none of the circumstances around me had changed, the Father God, Savior Son, and Guiding Spirit were now protecting me, they were my shield and my trust.

 

I have to say, I had a great deal of trouble finding what I felt God would want me to say today. We were all so ready for 2020 to be gone, even as it ended with a Christmas Day bombing on Second Avenue. More colorful expressions have been created for this past year than I can ever remember. And before we get the final “See ‘ya” out of the way, our nation’s Capital building is sieged.  While there is a joint session of both House and Senate. Not by enemy nation, but by Americans! I was shocked, then I was mad, then I was enraged. More so than I have been in quite a long time, and I’ve got a pretty good temper when it gets loose. Where is the peace now?! Where is my shield?! WHERE IS GOD?!?!

 

My wife, smart woman that she is, left me stew for a bit. (By the way, you don’t know how lucky and blessed I am to have as patient a woman as Barbara by my side. She can wait until after my outbursts and still stays by me.) then I remembered my prayer book. The Book of Common Prayer. This was given to me by a friend that has known me bad and good since 1978. And as far as I know, still hasn’t told some of the things he knows about me. I digress. In the prayer book is this prayer for our country.

 

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion in one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of Wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of Government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness; and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail. All which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

And there it was, ”in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail.” Our joy is in Him. Our hope is in Him. Our PEACE is in Him. I’ve forgotten so often that fist love. It was time to let Him speak. I want you to read out loud the verses below. Out loud. Not because its fun to control people like that (ok, maybe a little 😊) but because there is no greater power than God’s word when spoken aloud.

 

Isaiah 26: 3

You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.

Psalm 4:8

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 85:8

I will listen to what God the Lord says;
    he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants

Isaiah 9:6-7

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you

Isaiah 55:12

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And from our Lord:

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Overcome this world. Overcome this world! Dear church, we are in this world, but not OF this world. Our peace cannot come from anything this world can give. Our Joy is in Him, our Hope is in Him, our PEACE is in Him - alone. He came from a throne to a manger, and became flesh and blood, and only a power that great can take us and free us from this world, Only a power that great can grant us a peace so amazing that it goes beyond understanding. The circumstances don’t change, but His PEACE changes us.

Maybe you don’t know that peace. Maybe you’ve never been embraced by that love. Open your heart to Him. Come to Him as a little child. Simply trust, and give Him, like the song said, your everything. There’s so much more to receive.