PeaceOrTurmoil

Peace or Turmoil 10-24-02

Jeremiah 6:16

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall fine rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

This is an encouraging passage if we "stand, see, ask and walk", because then the promise is...we shall find rest for our souls. But the sad part of this verse is: But they said, We will not walk therein.

Why wouldn't someone want to have peace in a time when it seems there is none? Wars and rumors of wars, innocent people being shot unexpectedly. Bombs going off in places unheard-of, with terrorists using themselves as the tool to detonate. And yet, even through all these unpredictable situations, the Lord says we shall find rest for our souls.

But how can we find rest when the world seems to be destroying itself with hatred? And to add heartache upon heartache, our own personal life faces many obstacles that obstruct our vision, which seems to take our focus off God and put it on the event of the day.

In Jeremiah 29:11 we read, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." God has a future and a hope for us. He works all things together for our good. And His desire is to conform us to the image of His dear Son. (Romans 8:28-29)

With world events on the News everyday, we seem to contemplate even more the many evil affairs going on all around us, in other countries, at home and even with our neighbor next door. Yet through all this, God says we can have peace.

As Jeremiah 6:16 says, we are to:

1. "Stand" ye in the ways (Stand on God's Word, His Commandments, His Righteousness. Many people want to do things their way, not God's. That's when we get ourselves into trouble.)

2. And "see" (the goodness of the Lord, the examples in Scriptures, God's promises. We have many examples of how God delivered His people from bondage, how He healed, restored and saved lives.)

3. And "ask" for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein (How to walk with God: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, John 14:6. He is the only way to have peace with God and the peace of God.)

4. And ye shall find "rest" for your souls (John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.) The only way we can have peace while living in a world of turmoil is through our Lord Jesus Christ. He shed His blood on the cross and died a cruel death that we could have forgiveness of sins and a right relationship with the Heavenly Father.

Dear Heaven Father, I thank you for your word and the comfort I find when studying. I thank you for the peace I have through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, to be able to come to you. I thank you for the Holy Spirit and all that He teaches me. I thank you Father that I can have peace, even when things seem impossible to handle. I thank you that you are ever in control and concerned with my emotional and physical needs, as well as my Spiritual growth. I love you Lord, and want to please you in all that I do. Keep my walk on that straight and narrow path and catch me when I fall. For I ask this in Jesus' precious name, Amen.