From the Pulpit...

Remember what we learned last week? We were thinking about how to experience peace in our inner person despite whatever circumstances may befall us. It is not easy. But we said that the whole package of verses 4-9 is critical. We cannot simply use the one weapon of prayer and expect have our anxieties melt away while we ignore other Biblical instruction about sanctification, our conduct toward others, and our thought life. We must rejoice in the Lord, be gracious people, stop being anxious, pray, give thanks, think on good and godly things, and conduct ourselves in a way that agrees with what the Bible has presented to us. Our prayer will be effective under such conditions. This is the way that the peace of God will guard us, and the God of peace will be with us. Peace comes not through a mystical means that happens apart from holiness. “There is no peace for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). False prophets “seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace” (Ezek. 13:10). Read Psalm 27:1-3 and Psalm 91:1-16. Because we make God our refuge, our delight, our life, we can walk confidently in Him.