DRAWING NEAR
February 9
The Joy of God's Peace
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ" (Phil. 1:2).
Nothing you face today is beyond the purview of God's grace and
peace.
Paul's wonderful benediction for grace and peace was ever on his
heart. He offered it in each of his epistles and expounded on it
throughout his writings.
Grace is the outpouring of God's goodness and mercy on undeserving
mankind. Every benefit and provision you receive is by God's grace.
That's why Peter called it "the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet. 4:10).
Just as your trials are manifold or multifaceted, so God's
multifaceted and all-sufficient grace is correspondingly available to
sustain you.
Peace, as used in Philippians 1:2, speaks of the calmness and absence
of strife characteristic of one in whom God's grace is at work. The
New Testament also links it to mercy, hope, joy, and love. To
experience those graces is to experience true peace.
It is said that when Bible translators were seeking a word or phrase
for "peace" in the language of the Chol Indians of South Mexico, they
discovered that the words for "a quiet heart" gave just the meaning
they were looking for. That's an appropriate parallel because peace
guards the soul against anxiety and strife, granting solace and
harmony.
Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body." In Philippians 4:6-7
Paul says to "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Although "grace to you and peace" was a common greeting in the early
church, it was an uncommon experience in the unbelieving world. The
same is true today because only those who belong to God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ receive grace and peace.
Are you experiencing God's peace? Remember, nothing you face today is
beyond the purview of God's all-sufficient grace and surpassing
peace.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Read Ephesians 2:14-18 and praise God for Christ, who is your peace,
and for His gracious work on your behalf.
For Further Study:
What is the first step to acquiring peace (John 16:33; 1 Peter 5:14)?
What does the God of peace desire to accomplish within you (1 Thess.
5:23; Heb. 13:20-21)?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Ephesians 2:14-18
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has
broken down the middle wall of separation,
15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of
commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one
new man from the two, thus making peace,
16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through
the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to
those who were near.
18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In
the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world.
1 Peter 5:14
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in
Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may
your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the
dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the
everlasting covenant,
21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in
you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom
be glory forever and ever. Amen.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
http://www.gty.org/Gospel/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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