What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, November 21, 2014

Do You Long for Peace?

Sometimes we just get so tired of the rat race of this life...and all the distractions of things, wars, strife, anger, circumstances beyond our control...and we find ourselves longing for something we can't put our finger on...a release from the stress, fear, anxieties, and frustrations of not being able to cope with the way we see things going in the world...how the younger generation seems to not have any clue as to why we members of the baby-boomer generation cannot accept the changes we see taking place in our nation, government, so-called church hierarchies, and the world in general.

I've had a week like that. I'm beginning to wonder if I am getting too old for this world.  Not so much in age, but in my mind and spirit. When I try to express my concerns about the things that I see happening that have a much deeper and farther reaching effect than what the younger generation seems to recognize I discover that I am wasting my breath.

Anyway, rather than continue this litany of frustration...I want to share with you the way the Lord helped me this morning.

First of all...think how Jesus must have felt as He entered Jerusalem...

"And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.
Then, as he was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives,
the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God
with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying:

'Blessed is the King
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!'

And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd,
'Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.'

But He answered and said to them,
"I tell you that if these should keep silent,
the stones would immediately cry out."

Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying:
"If you had known, even you, especially in this your day,
the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an 
embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,
and level you, and your children within you, to the ground;
and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, 
because you did not know the time of your visitation."

Luke 19:36-44

As I was expressing my frustrations to my husband this morning during our time of Bible reading and devotions he suggested that I just let go of the battle I was trying to fight alone. The individuals that I was trying so hard to reach weren't listening...nor did they comprehend my concerns or fears. The generational gap was too great. I was crying out much like Jesus did as He entered Jerusalem the week of His passion...the ones He was ready to die for had no comprehension and were totally missing the purpose of His fervor.  My wise husband suggested that I just pray for them, pray for our nation, pray for our world, pray for peace, and leave the results to God.  And then we both started humming and singing this chorus to an old hymn in harmony....

"Peace, peace, wonderful peace, 
Coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love!

(The Hymn is "Wonderful Peace" by W.D. Cornell)

As we sang this precious little chorus together the tears rolled down my cheeks...we were reading excerpts from Psalm 119, and the verses that touched my heart were these:

"The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
I opened my mouth and panted,
for I longed for Your commandments.
Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your Word,
and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep your precepts.
Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
and teach me Your statutes.
Rivers of water run down from my eyes,
Because men do not keep Your law."
Psalm 119:130-136

What was it that was helping me?  "The entrance of Your word gives light..."

"Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven...
Your faithfulness endures to all generations...
You established the earth, and it abides..."
(Psalm 119:89-90)

I began to realize that I was not responsible for trying to change the hearts and minds of the younger generation. I have to leave that to God. His Word is settled in heaven....Forever!  His faithfulness endures to ALL generations...He established the earth...and it still abides.  And it will always abide. His Word will always abide...forever!  


"Peace, peace, wonderful peace, 
Coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love!

I don't have to worry or fear.  God is in control! Forever!  That gives me great peace. "Forever, O Lord, Your word is SETTLED in heaven!"  Hallelujah!

Oh...by the way, have you ever seen this particular video or heard this song?"Forever" by Kari Jobe
I encourage you to listen and watch all the way through to the end of this song/video. If this song doesn't move your spirit, you may want to pinch yourself to see if you are still alive.




9 comments:

  1. Your words express my heart in so many ways Pam. I remember older people saying that they just do not understand or fit in the world any more, and now i know what they meant. I don't feel old in body, but my heart and values are simply upside down according to what I see and read and sometimes I just feel done.
    Your music and passages are a balm, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Susie. I am so glad you understand. I didn't think I'd gotten as old as my parents...but I remember how they felt and their frustrations at our younger generation not valuing their values and understanding how they felt because of what they had lived through in their generation. A lot of what we feel is anxiety and fear about the future of our country and world, but we have to trust the Lord to take care of the future just as He has always taken care of our past. Keep our eyes on the Lord...He has the whole world in His hands!

      Delete
  2. I have feelings similar to you, worrying about the future of the USA and the world. Your husband gave you wise counsel, and singing hymns is very appropriate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Terra. Yes, when I feel anxious and worried about the future...(or my present), I often let music be my counselor and comfort...along with God's Word and His promises that help us to remember that He's still in control...FOREVER!!!

      Delete
  3. Hi Pam! I am reminded of the passage in Scripture about 'pearls before the swine'. Sometimes people just don't understand the beauty of truth. No matter how great the message, it just won't sink in. I agree with your husband, pray and pray.
    I love the fact that you not only pray together, you sing too. Just wonderful.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
  4. I commented on this Sat. night, but it just disappeared into lala land, so I'll try again! I know exactly how you feel and I'm right there beside you! I'm so glad that Mom and Dad aren't having to see and hear--and read the things that we do--their hearts would be broken! John is so right when he says to just pray and leave our concerns at God's feet. We were watching a newer Gaither program on Cliff Barrows and his memories of the music of the Billy Graham Crusades. So many of our old favorite hymns were highlighted. Music always seems to bring peace to my soul as it does to yours. God is in control! I love you Sister!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. (((hugs))) sister. Yes, music is soothing to our hearts and helps us put things in perspective. And prayer is the ONLY way to work through these frustrations, anxieties! Love you so much sister.

      Delete
  5. Pam: I know where you are coming from. I meet with a group of women on Tuesday mornings who are in my age group (Senior Citizens),We pray for revival and for the needs of our church and the congregation. We ask God to allow us to see things with His eyes. The events of this past Monday night were things that I was able to get a correct handle on because of praying for God's eyes and for His wisdom.We have to live very close to God. Blessings on you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Cecilia. Yes, your prayer group is on the right track. We need to see the bigger picture that only God can see, and trust in His wisdom. He knows how to change the hearts of those who are wandering around in the world of confusion and ignorance. That is my prayer.

      Delete

Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.