Peace and rest
Often I wake up earl in the morning full of peace. I am so rested that the peace flooding my soul allows Bible verses to come to mind—first one, then another associated with the first one, then another on the same subject. While I’m laying in that dreamy state I get to enjoy a Bible study and sermon and see insights I don’t get when I am fully conscious.
It’s a wonderful experience. My body is rested from its labor from the previous day, my brain is calm from the deep sleep I enjoyed and the Bible truth and grace brings peace to my soul as I trust in God my Creator and Life-giver. All the tensions have fled; no worries harass; no fears alarm. Maybe some religions call this limbo or nirvana. I call it the loving embrace of the Holy Spirit.
I am His child, and “underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deut. 33:27). “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4). “He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Ps. 91:4).
But often the glory of peace that comes with the thoughts of scripture fades away as the pressures and busyness of the day absorb my full focus. When the Bible thoughts disappear so goes away the life-giving wisdom-providing peace. If only I can have and keep that faith all day long!
Constant scripture and peace is what Enoch had. “Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Gen. 5:22-24). “Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Ps. 119:165).
What an experience! To walk with God moment by moment, non-stop for 300 years! Day and night, in any situation receiving the life and knowledge of God that was needed to perfectly represent the Savior to His acquaintances. Adam must have coveted that kind of relationship Enoch had, as it reminded him of what he had in Eden. It was that walk that permitted God to invite him home early.
Noah also walked with God. “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” (Gen. 6:9). That union with Christ made him a righteous and holy man, perfect in everything he did. After centuries of communion and primitive godliness, God could trust Noah with the earth-altering, life-changing project that would hurt God more than relieve Him. Noah would be chosen to prepare the corrupted and guilty world, and then cooperate with God in saving the people from the world’s destruction.
Many others have walked with God moment by moment. Everyone whom God chose as His mouthpiece had come to trust Him and work in communion with Him. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Pet. 1:21). It was their love of God’s word and the character of His love and righteousness that it embodied that prepared these men to be called to the gift of prophecy. They already had allowed God to give them a love of the truth that they might be converted and sanctified. Once sanctified, God could glorify them, crowing them with His most precious gift.
But by far the greatest example of walking with God and of perfect peace and rest was the Son of God. Jesus always, from conception, had perfect peace—infinite peace. Thus, He was the Prince of peace, the anointed Messiah. And meditation on the scriptures was His full time amusement. “What saith the scriptures?” was His constant thought. “It is written,” “Thus saith the Lord,” “Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?” and the spirit of the law were in all His thoughts.
“God was His instructor,” and His Father gave Him blessed rest. Desire of Ages, p. 70. His sleep was ever sweet. The worst storm could not worry Him or disturb His slumber. But He was never in so deep sleep but that a cry of help always snapped Him back to consciousness. Elijah, the great prophet, awoke in fear and consternation; but Jesus never. Through prayer and communion with His Father He could come forth to each busy day refreshed and energetic, healthy in body and mind.
“Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: Thou hast the dew of Thy youth.” (Ps. 110:3). “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” (Ps. 45:7).
It’s a wonderful experience. My body is rested from its labor from the previous day, my brain is calm from the deep sleep I enjoyed and the Bible truth and grace brings peace to my soul as I trust in God my Creator and Life-giver. All the tensions have fled; no worries harass; no fears alarm. Maybe some religions call this limbo or nirvana. I call it the loving embrace of the Holy Spirit.
I am His child, and “underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deut. 33:27). “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4). “He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Ps. 91:4).
But often the glory of peace that comes with the thoughts of scripture fades away as the pressures and busyness of the day absorb my full focus. When the Bible thoughts disappear so goes away the life-giving wisdom-providing peace. If only I can have and keep that faith all day long!
Constant scripture and peace is what Enoch had. “Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Gen. 5:22-24). “Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Ps. 119:165).
What an experience! To walk with God moment by moment, non-stop for 300 years! Day and night, in any situation receiving the life and knowledge of God that was needed to perfectly represent the Savior to His acquaintances. Adam must have coveted that kind of relationship Enoch had, as it reminded him of what he had in Eden. It was that walk that permitted God to invite him home early.
Noah also walked with God. “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” (Gen. 6:9). That union with Christ made him a righteous and holy man, perfect in everything he did. After centuries of communion and primitive godliness, God could trust Noah with the earth-altering, life-changing project that would hurt God more than relieve Him. Noah would be chosen to prepare the corrupted and guilty world, and then cooperate with God in saving the people from the world’s destruction.
Many others have walked with God moment by moment. Everyone whom God chose as His mouthpiece had come to trust Him and work in communion with Him. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Pet. 1:21). It was their love of God’s word and the character of His love and righteousness that it embodied that prepared these men to be called to the gift of prophecy. They already had allowed God to give them a love of the truth that they might be converted and sanctified. Once sanctified, God could glorify them, crowing them with His most precious gift.
But by far the greatest example of walking with God and of perfect peace and rest was the Son of God. Jesus always, from conception, had perfect peace—infinite peace. Thus, He was the Prince of peace, the anointed Messiah. And meditation on the scriptures was His full time amusement. “What saith the scriptures?” was His constant thought. “It is written,” “Thus saith the Lord,” “Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?” and the spirit of the law were in all His thoughts.
“God was His instructor,” and His Father gave Him blessed rest. Desire of Ages, p. 70. His sleep was ever sweet. The worst storm could not worry Him or disturb His slumber. But He was never in so deep sleep but that a cry of help always snapped Him back to consciousness. Elijah, the great prophet, awoke in fear and consternation; but Jesus never. Through prayer and communion with His Father He could come forth to each busy day refreshed and energetic, healthy in body and mind.
“Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: Thou hast the dew of Thy youth.” (Ps. 110:3). “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” (Ps. 45:7).
posted by David | 1:48 PM
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