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.