September 29
Isaiah 57:15-59:21 | PS 71:1-24 | Prov 24:9-10 | Phil 1:1-26
Recently I got to pray with a lovely couple who just delivered their first child, a son. Though a few birth anomalies were revealed before birth, one of them required immediate surgery (not life threatening) on day one of life. They are Christian. Though they are concerned, what exudes through the both of them is an overwhelming sense of peace, knowing that their child is not in the hands of the medical profession, but in the hands of the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and those caring for their child are vessels in His hand. The father prayed for a miracle this morning, that the surgery would not be necessary, but that was not the answer he received from God. Peace comes not from getting our prayers answered but in knowing that He is sovereign and in control. Yesterday, I prayed with a friend of mine, who has had his 3rd or 4th recurrence of cancer. He is a dear brother in the Lord and one who is not shy about sharing his hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. We talked about his options for treatment, and prayed together. As in the couple above, he exudes peace in the face of turmoil.
The disparity can not be more striking. Peace is available to everyone, but it is given by the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” There can be no real peace without knowing Jesus. We read in Isaiah 57:19-20, “Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” We read earlier in 26:3, “ You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” We read of the opposite approach in Isaiah 59:8, “The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.”
First of all, whenever anyone asks for prayer, may we not answer, “yes, I will”. Instead, stop what you are doing, whether on the phone, on a device, or in person and pray for them right at that moment. Next, we all have a choice as to which voice we choose to listen to. Satan, will whisper in your ear, “But, what if…”. Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Which voice are you listening to? As God’s messengers we have the privilege of introducing some to the Prince of Peace, while for others who already know Him, we have the privilege of reaching out to Him together, as He comes alongside us and enters our conversation and time of prayer. It is only this assurance and peace which allows Paul to make a statement as we read in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This is the level of peace we should all desire.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: