Thursday, February 20, 2020

Peace with God

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. "  Romans 5:1  NIV

Peace with God. No more guilt, no more fear, no more uncertainty.  Peace with God.  We have been justified, we have been made righteous in the sight of God, through our faith in Jesus. No work of our own can get rid of our sinfulness, but Jesus, in a miraculous way, gives us a clean standing before God. There is a hymn titled Blessed Assurance. How could anything be more blessed than to be assured that we are at peace with God.

If I start to be bothered by anxiety or irritation, I can remember that I have peace with God, the creator of the universe. Everything else will shrink in significance when I take that gift of peace into my heart.

Saturday, February 8, 2020

A Downward Trend

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." Psalm 1:1 NIV

The book of Psalms starts with this verse. It sets the stage for everything else in the book. A life blessed by God means to not browse through and accept the advice of unbelieving people. Don't spend time with people who encourage you to rebel against God. A progression occurs in this verse.  First, one is walking in the counsel of the wicked. Perhaps that is casually moving in ungodly circles. Next, is the standing with sinners. One is now stationery in the company of sinners, not going forward in a search for the truth.  Finally, one sits in the seat of mockers.  Firmly entrenched, at rest, and making a home with those who laugh at God is the final destination.

Blessings come when we keep our hearts on God and his teachings. In a world that so often ridicules godliness and righteousness, we need to recognize the wicked counsel, the influence of sinners and the beckoning words of those who mock God and his people. Let me be firm in my walk with Jesus and steer clear of listening to ungodly people. God knows this is how I will be blessed.