His peace He gives to us, not the temporary peace of this world, but the eternal peace He promises in Christ Jesus.
In order to hear God we need to believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Seek Him!!
Our faith especially in times of suffering can draw others to the peace we find in Jesus. A humble, peaceful spirit is appealing to God and shows up in our relationships. We are not in subjection to the whims of a slave master but willingly defer to God’s wisdom. There is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, slave nor free in God’s Kingdom. We are heirs together to the grace of God given in Christ Jesus. In His peace and grace our prayers are heard. We are to strive to be of one mind loving our families and living in peace with all people if it is in our control. The tongue is a hard thing to tame but with Holy Spirit we can speak peace and live out the truth of God in our lives.
Romans 8:16 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
We are children of God and heirs with God and joint heirs with Christ. His glory will be revealed. The things of this world are nothing compared to His glory that will be revealed.
Hebrews 4:1–3
4 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. The New King James Version
Let us fear relates to a disposition toward God and His word, similar to “the fear of Yahweh”. The promise is rest and wholeness with God.
God promises Abraham land, a nation, and a great name. He also promises that Abraham will be a blessing to others. Abraham obtains these promises by persevering and offering up his son, Isaac. Likewise, his wife, Sarah, conceived because she trusted in God.
In contrast, the wilderness generation did not receive the promise of inheriting the land because they did not act faithfully and trust God. As the author of Hebrews reflects on his own generation, he urges them to strive toward the inheritance of the new covenant—God’s “rest”—enacted by trusting Him with their very lives. For the wilderness generation, rest was more than just a theological metaphor. It represented an end to the wandering that characterized their life after the exodus—finding peace. Once God’s people had already entered into Canaan the promise of rest still remained.
“Rest” for the wilderness generation referred to the promised land, Canaan. In Canaan, the Israelites would be secure from enemies and would no longer have to wander. The wilderness generation experienced miracles, but most of them still chose to be unfaithful to God and the leadership He had appointed.
The author of Hebrews is worried that Christians will make the same mistakes—turning away from God despite His previous work in their lives—and consequently not experience the grace He offers. Faithlife Study Bible
The tragic unbelief of the desert generation of Israelites serves as a warning for believers today to enter into God’s rest, which is still offered to the faithful.
The gospel was preached is the translation of a single Greek word meaning “the good news was announced.” The good news of God’s rest had been proclaimed to the Israelites. The generation led by Moses had failed to enter their rest, which was the Promised Land because of their lack of faith. In the same way, the gospel of Christ that had been proclaimed to the author’s audience was calling them into God’s rest, but their unbelief would hinder them from entering into it. The NKJV Study Bible
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
God opposes the proud but grants favor to those who acknowledge their need for Him (James 4:6). Therefore, let's invite Him to search our own hearts for pride (Psalm 139:23-24).
When we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will exalt and honor us (James 4:10). He might honor us by healing a fractured relationship, giving us new opportunities to experience His strength and wisdom, or in many other ways. For sure, He will honor us with a deepened intimacy in our relationship with Him. First5
Too often, with “big world” (especially looking for that cloudless day), the news feels unnerving, in your face and stoked with anger. No wonder we feel as if our control is demoted. No wonder we ask, how can I make a difference in this broken world, if the story is still befuddling and unfolding?
That’s just it; we make a difference in the “small world”.
The small world is the place where we stand. Today. Yes, with questions, inconvenience, pain, messy stories and all.
But the small world is where we care… Where we hug (even virtually) and give and try and love and fall down and get up and repent and cry and embrace and challenge and reconcile and heal. And make sure we tell those not doing so good, “We’ve got you.”
In the small world we touch, and begin to heal. Sabbath Moments
John Philip Newell “Do we know that within each one of us is the unspeakably beautiful beat of the Sacred? Do we know that we can honor that Sacredness in one another and in everything that has being? And do we know that this combination—growing in awareness that we are bearers of Presence, along with a faithful commitment to honor that Presence in one another and in the earth—holds the key to transformation in our world?”
The measure of a country's greatness is its ability to retain compassion in a time of crisis. Thurgood Marshall
Have you neglected the Holy Spirit? The Spirit of God longs to give you his great power. Challenges come with life, but they need not define your life. Help is here. Max Lucado
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