By: Gen. Jim — 5/26/19
Peace! The world speaks of it but rarely finds it. History tells us that “peace” (absence of war etc.) has been short in years since the beginning of historical records. There is peace between humans, between God and man, and there is inner peace that makes them both happen. But by and large, human nature is prone for war, struggles, agitation, hatred.
Peace is well-being within… even in the midst of hardships of life, whatever they may be.
The Bible uses the word “peace” alot: “Be at peace, do not be afraid”; “God in peace”; “peace of sacrifice”; “Peace in the land”; “My covenant of peace”; “Go to your grave in peace”; “Peace and prosperity”; “I am not at peace”; “Do good, seek peace” etc. etc.
Colossians 3:12-17 deals with a spirit of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, forgiveness, love, (v.12-14). Then Paul starts v.15 with, “Let the peace of God, to which also you are called in one body, rule in your hearts.” That is, let peace be the ruling master, not unrest.
Ah, this is where the fight starts! While peace may be a gift, there are times, MANY TIMES, that we struggle day in and day out to let peace rule in our hearts and minds. We can be put into dire circumstances in which all peace is drained from us, leaving us doubtful, depressed, and feeling literally diabolical!! Our human algorithm stops working. Our wonderful sublime relationship with the Lord, and others, disappears behind a dark cloud of despair, our outlook on life become miasmic.
To regain heaven’s peace, we’re to to fight like hell!! Against HELL!! Here in prison I find Paul’s words comforting but challenging. Darkness is prison; fights, gang type behaviors, filthy language, drugs, you name it, it is here or talked about. Peace? Well, at times. It’s not that I refuse it, but I find I must fight for it. Even my dreams are disturbed with demonic activities. But once in a while God’s Spirit will give me a good, peaceful night (or day), I spend hours repenting and repenting, pleading the Blood of Jesus over my whole being, praying for my wife, my son, my whole Shim Ra Na family, both here and abroad. I pray for the inmates in this prison-of-HELL, praying that God’s conviction will grip them, praying that they will repent and become FREE!!
In short, there are times when we encounter a legion of demons that is determined to take away our rulership/authority we have in Christ – we must embrace the throne of our hearts or release it to the will of the enemies. If and when we do “give up” – only for a short time – God will bring His Sovereign intervention. We see this when God’s people were made slaves, e.g. Egyptian slavery: “And the children of Israel sighed because of the BONDAGE, and they cried out, and their cry came up to God on account of their BONDAGE. God heard their groaning, and God remembered His Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Exodus 2:23-25). Psalms 105 describes how all this happened, starting with v.16-25: “He (God) turned their (Egyptians) hearts to HATE His people, to deal craftily with His servants” (v.25). God looked on the children of Israel, and God had concern (pity) for them” (Exodus 2:25).
The truth of the matter is that the enemy wanted to totally enslave Israel forever, removing all peace for them.
God raised up Moses to be their deliverer. He can use men/nations/or work alone. The time seemed impossible for Israel’s freedom. It was done over a period of time. Look how long Israel’s son, Joseph had to remain in Egypt’s prison: “So he was there in the prison” (Gen. 39:20). This was not the END: “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (v.21). We know the rest: Joseph was eventually released – although falsely accused by a woman! And it was because of this Israel eventually left Egypt.
Peace! “Therefore I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land (of demon idolatry!), to a land flowing with milk and honey…” (Exodus 3:8). This word was spoken to Moses even before he was sent back to Egypt to bring PEACE to Israel. As I write this, I have been stripped of my wife; my son, my whole Shim Ra Na/ACMTC family is scattered about, our whole physical inheritance has been taken by the (bigoted) court, all our possessions etc. Yet, I still cling to His Sovereign will, as do all members. We simply refuse to lose our souls; we refuse to surrender our “peace.” We fight on and on!!
Psalm 16:2 says, “I have said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; My welfare (also warfare) has no existence outside of You.’” I’ll make my stand in MARRIED LAND!!!
When the enemy threatens my life, I turn to the Lord Jesus in desperate prayer. I turn to Him for refuge (v.1), for without Him we fight alone.
David, the psalmist, continues to write: “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore,” (16:11). His presence/peace is pleasure, not money, fame, human friendships etc., but His joy, His peace are treasures of pleasure.
As we get back our peace-of-mind, we can “Encourage the disheartened… the weak…” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). To all those I love, continue to love God and one another – even pray for our enemies that they too can find peace in their troubled souls.