5-25-2020

Good Morning All, 

          Haggai 2:9; “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.”

    We all want it; what the Eagles called “that peaceful easy feeling.”  The only problem is that we often do not get it.  Most of us probably feel that there is little peace in our life and in our world.  We may desire peace, we may genuinely want peace, but we seldom have peace.  We seldom have peace in our family; we seldom have peace in our job; we seldom have peace in our own mind and heart.  Peace is elusive and difficult to find.

    The problem is that the world tries to tell us what peace is, and we listen to it.  Much like the way the mythical mermaids would lead the sailors to crash on the rocks, so the world’s sweet and deceptive sound can lead us astray.  It can lead us to crash on the rocks.  We see possessions as being our peace; yet, the more we have the more we want.  Just as an addict can never get enough; we can never feed our greed.  The world tells you that peace is found on your terms.  If someone is weaker or does not “aid” in the benefit of your welfare, then get rid of them or push them out of the way.  If someone is stronger than you, than figure out how to use them to better yourself.  Peace is often defined as victory; as being stronger, richer, and more popular than your neighbor.

    The real answer is that peace is found in God alone.  The world does not offer peace; it only offers strife and weariness.  We only have true peace when we live in God’s grace and recognize that our peace is from Him and comes to us when we see that, as our sins are forgiven so we must forgive the sins of others against us.  We will never have peace if we are seeking revenge or living in pain form past hurts.  Real peace only exists when we hear God’s Word and live according to his will.  True peace comes when we know and trust that all things work to the good of those who love God.  God has promised us salvation and comfort.  He has promised to hold us in his hand and to lead us safely home to him.

    So, in order to have peace, seek it each day.  Begin each day asking God for his peace.  Invite and invoke the Holy Spirit to give you peace in this world.  We will have this peace, not because of the world, but in spite of it.  We will have this peace because we find our hope and our true security in God’s mercy.  We will have God’s peace when we seek the mercy that he gives us, and grabs hold of it knowing that his love will always sustain us.

God of all peace, into your hands we lay our hope.  Into your hands we place our desire for peace.  Because of Jesus, you give us the peace that passes all of our understanding.  We do not know why or how but you give us peace when we seek your love and mercy.  It is your wonderful grace that gives us what the world does not give the peace with you.  Give us the strength of faith that we may be at peace with all those around us.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret