Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3.
What is perfect peace? It is a peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). It is the peace of God (Phil. 4:7; Col. 3:15). It is peace with God (Rom. 5:1).
There is no peace in the earth except that peace which rests in the hearts of believers in God and his Son, Jesus Christ. This peace resides deep in the recesses of the inner being of the believer. It is difficult to understand and to explain. Like the calm which Jesus manifested as he slept on the boat in the midst of a vehement storm (Matt. 8:24), like the calm on the sea just after the Lord said "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:39), we can have this same peace in our hearts, though the world give us grief, trouble, and sorrow.
There is no break in perfection: it is constant and continuous. This perfect peace rises above our trials and our worries. It settles arguments and brings friendships. It edifies saints and enhances fellowship among believers. That is because it is God's peace. There is a song that says so correctly, "There's a deep settled peace in my soul."
If you do not have that spiritual peace with God, you can through faith in Jesus Christ, his Son, believing that he died to pay for sin, that he was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Bring your heart and soul into that permanent peace with God through justification by faith (Romans 5:1).
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Purpose of Proverbs
The wisdom of Solomon is manifested to us at its best in the book of Proverbs. These terse and touching maxims from the Holy Spirit are comfort to the soul and correction for the body and mind. Solomon wrote these proverbs for several reasons.
(1) To know wisdom, which all of us need. James tells us that, if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God. We all do lack it to a perfect degree, and the wisdom of God's word is paramount in our lives as a result.
(2) To know instruction, which without we would be blundering anarchists of the worst sort. God has given his word for "correction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).
(3) To perceive the words of understanding, of which the Bible teaches us that we have none (Rom. 3:11).
(4) To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity. We are all ready to hear instruction, but we are not so ready to receive it in our hearts and minds to obey it. Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22; cf Prov 21:3).
(5) To give subtilty to the simple. The Hebrew word for "subtilty" means "shrewd, crafty, or prudent." That is, the proverbs give to the simple the wisdom that the learned world tries to grasp but falls so much short of.
(6) To give to the young man knowledge and discretion. The Hebrew word for "discretion" can also be translated "purpose." A man (person) needs a purpose in life, and the word of God will give that to him.
We should give ourselves to reasoning which is developed from God's word. These proverbs will give us opportunity for much deep thought and contemplation. We should read a little every day and be wise servants of Jesus Christ.
(1) To know wisdom, which all of us need. James tells us that, if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God. We all do lack it to a perfect degree, and the wisdom of God's word is paramount in our lives as a result.
(2) To know instruction, which without we would be blundering anarchists of the worst sort. God has given his word for "correction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).
(3) To perceive the words of understanding, of which the Bible teaches us that we have none (Rom. 3:11).
(4) To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity. We are all ready to hear instruction, but we are not so ready to receive it in our hearts and minds to obey it. Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22; cf Prov 21:3).
(5) To give subtilty to the simple. The Hebrew word for "subtilty" means "shrewd, crafty, or prudent." That is, the proverbs give to the simple the wisdom that the learned world tries to grasp but falls so much short of.
(6) To give to the young man knowledge and discretion. The Hebrew word for "discretion" can also be translated "purpose." A man (person) needs a purpose in life, and the word of God will give that to him.
We should give ourselves to reasoning which is developed from God's word. These proverbs will give us opportunity for much deep thought and contemplation. We should read a little every day and be wise servants of Jesus Christ.
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