Blood on Every Page

“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.” HEBREWS 11:31

 

PONDER THIS

The whole Bible is about a blood sacrifice. You cut this blessed book anywhere, and it will bleed. The blood of Jesus seems to stain every page. You can begin with Abel’s lamb, go right on through to Noah’s sacrifice to Abraham’s ram on Mount Moriah, then to all the smoking sacrifices on every Jewish altar till finally you come to Calvary where the Lord Jesus Christ hung in agony and blood. All of it is saying, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13). The Bible says in Hebrews 11:31 that Rahab was delivered from destruction. This was because of the scarlet cord that hung in her window, representing the sacrifice of blood (Joshua 2:18). She did not perish. This reminds us of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish.” And if you’ve trusted in the blood of Jesus, neither will you.

How does it build your faith to see the way the Bible points over and over again to the sacrifice of Jesus?

Who do you need to tell about the sacrifice of Jesus?

PRACTICE THIS

Share with someone today about the sacrifice of Jesus.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Raging Waves Find No Peace

“Raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” JUDE 1:13

 

PONDER THIS

Jude described the actions of the apostate as belching out from the deep recesses, the murky caverns, of his heart, of his soul, in his shame. These people are like raging waves of the sea, deeply disturbed in the heart. They’re not at peace and don’t want you to be at peace either. That’s the reason apostates are so dangerous, and the world is full of them. I have had seminarians and college buddies who became apostates. They studied for the ministry with me. They sat in the same classes with me. These men claimed to believe the truth. But they veered into apostasy. What they once believed, they rejected. And once they rejected, they ridiculed. I watched them, one after another, go down into debauchery of all kinds. There’s something about apostasy, dear friend, that is different from most other sins. This is what Jude was saying. They are like raging waves of the sea. There’s distress. There’s a disquieting in the heart of apostates. And before long they will spew out the foam of their shame. Apostates are disturbed like wild waves.

Contrast this description of the apostate person with those who are in Christ in Philippians 4:7.

Why are those who reject God unable to truly be at peace?

PRACTICE THIS

Write out a list of ways God gives you peace in Jesus.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Stand Firm in His Peace

“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

EPHESIANS 6:15

 

PONDER THIS

Do you have peace right now? Or are you churning on the inside? If you don’t have peace right now, I’ll tell you why. It’s not because of circumstances. Peace in the Bible is not the subtraction of problems from life. Peace is the addition of power to meet those problems. The Bible says, “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119:165). The only way you can live that way is to put on the shoes of peace. Jesus made peace with the blood of His cross, and if you don’t have this, you’re going to slip and fall in the battle. So many people fall, not because of a lack of integrity or a lack of purity, but because of a lack of tranquility. Something will happen, some sickness, some disappointment, some financial reverse, some wayward child, and they lose their peace. You put on the shoes of peace so you can have a firm place to stand. If you don’t, you may slip and you may fall.

How can you practically “put on the shoes of peace”?

How has God’s peace helped you stand firm in past spiritual battles?

PRACTICE THIS

Write out what God is showing you about the truth of your peace in Jesus. Meditate on this throughout the day, seeking to memorize what you’ve written.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Peace in the Dark Night

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” ISAIAH 26:3

 

PONDER THIS

What is darkness? Darkness is merely the absence of light. The only way there can be darkness is for the light to be withdrawn. Who is the light? God is the light. But sometimes God may just back off and leave His servant in darkness. If you read biographies of great Christians, almost all of them will talk about something they call the dark night of the soul. They’re serving God, they’re loving God, and then things come, perplexities they can’t understand.

There’s going to come a time when all your theology will go upside down. There will be a time when you won’t understand where God is and you’re going to be in such darkness you won’t see your hand in front of your face. What do you do then? Isaiah says stay upon your God; trust Him.

Have you experienced a “dark night of the soul”? What was this like? How did God work and move in your life during and around this time?

Why is it important to stay with God in these times?

PRACTICE THIS

Do you know anyone who is facing a dark night of the soul currently? Pray for that person and reach out to encourage that person today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

How We Must Fight for Holiness

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

There is a practical holiness without which we will not see the Lord. Many live as if this were not so.

There are professing Christians who live such unholy lives that they will hear Jesus’s dreadful words, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23). Paul says to professing believers, “If you live according to the flesh you will die” (Romans 8:13).

So, there is a holiness without which no one will see the Lord. And learning to fight for holiness by faith in future grace is supremely important.

There is another way to pursue holiness that backfires and leads to death. Paul warns us against serving God any other way than by faith in his enabling grace. God is not “served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:25). Any effort to serve God that does not, in that very act, depend on him as the reward of our hearts and the power of our service, will dishonor him as a needy pagan god.

Peter describes the alternative to such self-reliant service of God, “Whoever serves, [let him do so] as one who serves by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11). And Paul says, “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me” (Romans 15:18; see also 1 Corinthians 15:10).

Moment by moment, grace arrives to enable us to do “every good work” that God appoints for us. “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

The fight for good works is a fight to believe the promises of future grace.

John Piper 

 

Accepted by God, at Peace Within

“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” 

MATTHEW 22:39

 

PONDER THIS

Most of us have never really accepted ourselves. We’re still struggling and trying to make ourselves acceptable. But we can’t. Just accept by faith that God has accepted you and be at peace. That is real peace.

I hear people say you’re not supposed to love yourself. No, that’s wrong. You’re to love yourself. You’re not to love your faults. I’m not talking about egotism. May I ask you a question? Does God love you? Is it all right for you to love what God loves? What does the Bible say? We are to love one another as we love ourselves. Now, if you don’t love you, you can’t love me. See? How do we love ourselves? We understand we are what we are by the grace of God. We have been born of God. We’re going to God. We have that peace.

Do you love yourself as described in today’s devotion?

How can you love yourself in this way while still honoring God? Why is it not sinful to love yourself in this way?

PRACTICE THIS

Write out a list of ways God loves you. Consider how you are to love yourself so that you can display true love to others.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Preserving Peace Through Being Slow to Anger

“A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention.”

PROVERBS 15:18

 

PONDER THIS

All anger is not bad. Jesus was angry, but He was angry at the right things. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry, and do not sin.” The Bible warns us to be slow to anger because we do often sin in our anger. (See James 1:19.) Proverbs 14:17 says, “A quick-tempered man acts foolishly.” Proverbs 18:13 says, “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” Proverbs 29:20 says, “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Be slow to anger. The way to control your anger is to control your words. Consider Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath.” Controlling our anger begins with controlling our speech. One angry word builds the next word and that builds the next word, until it gets worse and worse. We must learn to be slow to speak and slow to anger.

What might be an example of righteous anger?

How can even righteous anger turn to sin if we are not careful?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of things that you have anger or passion about today. Consider what is of God and what is not. Ask Him to help you let go of any anger that is not honoring to Him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

A Heart at Peace with God

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

PROVERBS 31:26-27

 

PONDER THIS

This passage describes a woman who has control of her tongue. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. Do you know why this is? Do you know why she can talk with such dignity, poise, and grace? Because she's already been up early in the morning, she’s had her quiet time with God. Her life is well-ordered because her heart is at peace with God. When you lash out at others, it reveals more about you than anyone else. If you're one who is continually lashing out, you’re a person who is not at peace with yourself. And if you’re not at peace with yourself, it’s because you’re not at peace with God. And if you’re not at peace with Him, it is because you have not had quality, priority time with Almighty God.

Have you experienced the peace that comes from continual and regular time spent with God?

When you are not at peace with God, have you found it more difficult to control your anger and your tongue?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a commitment each day this week to spend dedicated time with God, that you might grow in relationship with Him and find peace in your spirit.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

How to Have Peace in All Circumstances

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” PHILIPPIANS 4:11

 

PONDER THIS

What is contentment? Contentment is an inner sufficiency that keeps us at peace despite outward circumstances. In the New Testament, the word contentment has the idea of being self-contained. While in the Philippian jail, Paul said: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11). The idea means, “I’m self-contained; I don’t have to look at circumstances to find my peace.” When the space shuttle goes up, they put everything on board that people are going to need because there’s no 7-Eleven in the neighborhood up there. It is self-contained, it has everything on board. In the same way, Christians have this self-containment. To be clear, this is not at all because we can find what we need in ourselves, but because the Spirit of God has come to live within us. Our contentment is found in Him.

How have you experienced the “self-contained” contentment that is found in relationship with Jesus?

What does it look like to seek contentment in your circumstances instead of in something else that is passing away?

PRACTICE THIS

Take a walk today to prayerfully consider where you find your contentment. Ask God to lead you to seek contentment in Him alone.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Prevailing Grace

“I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners.” (Isaiah 57:18)

Learn your doctrine from biblical texts. It stands up better that way, and feeds the soul.

For example, learn the doctrine of irresistible grace from texts. In this way, you will see that it does not mean grace cannot be resisted; it means that when God chooses, he can and will overcome that resistance.

In Isaiah 57:17–19, for instance, God chastises his rebellious people by striking them and hiding his face: “Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry” (verse 17).

But they did not respond with repentance. Rather, they kept backsliding. They resisted: “But he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart” (verse 17).

So grace can be resisted. In fact, Stephen said to the Jewish leaders, “You always resist the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51).

What then does God do? Is he powerless to bring those who resist to repentance and wholeness? No. He is not powerless. The next verse says, “I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners” (Isaiah 57:18).

So, in the face of recalcitrant, grace-resisting backsliding, God says, “I will heal him.” He will “restore.” The word for “restore” is to “make whole or complete.” It is related to the word shalom, “peace.” That wholeness and peace is mentioned in the next verse which explains how God turns around a grace-resisting backslider.

He does it by “‘creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace (shalom, shalom), to the far and to the near,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will heal him’” (Isaiah 57:19). God creates what is not there — peace, wholeness. This is how we are saved. And this is how we are brought back from backsliding — again and again.

The grace of God triumphs over our resistance by creating praise where it did not exist. He brings shalom, shalom to the near and the far. Wholeness, wholeness to the near and the far. He does it by “restoring,” that is, replacing the disease of resistance with the soundness of submission.

The point of irresistible grace is not that we can’t resist. We can, and we do. The point is that when God chooses, he overcomes our resistance and restores a submissive spirit. He creates. He says, “Let there be light!” He heals. He leads. He restores. He comforts.

Therefore, we never boast that we have returned from backsliding. We fall on our faces before the Lord and with trembling joy thank him for his irresistible grace that conquered all our resistance.

John Piper 

How to Find Real Peace

““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” JOHN 5:24

 

PONDER THIS

One day, I stopped on the corner a block from my girlfriend’s house (she is my wife now). I’d walked Joyce home. It was a beautiful summer night, but I was miserable. I did not have assurance. I began to pray; by then, I had learned what the Gospel was all about. I didn’t bow my head, but I looked up into the sky, not out of arrogance, but I wanted to look into the face of God. I said, “God, I don’t know whether I’m saved, and the devil is trying to make me doubt it, or whether I’m lost, and the Holy Spirit has me under conviction, but I know I don’t have peace.”

And I quoted back to Him the Word of God that says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). I said, “God, this is Your Word. And right now, once and for all, now and forever, I’m going to stand on Your Word.” And I looked up into the heavens, and I said, “Lord, now, if I have never received You, I receive You this moment. Right now. If I’ve done it before, this won’t take it away, but I’m driving down a peg right now. I’m standing on Your Word. Come into my heart, forgive my sin, save me. Thank You for doing it. I don’t look for a sign, I don’t ask for a feeling. I stand on Your Word.” And when I said that, a river of peace began to flow in my heart. From that moment on, I’ve had the blessed assurance that He lives in me because I stood not on my emotions, not on my good life, but on the Word of God. What have you based your faith on? Are you standing on the one thing that will never change?

When was a time you struggled with doubt in your faith?

What does it mean to stand on God’s Word? What are some other things we try to find security in instead?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to someone who has been an example of standing on God’s Word. Ask how that person regularly spends time in God’s Word and holds onto His promises.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Peace to Those with Whom He Is Pleased

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:12–14)

Peace for whom? There is a somber note sounded in the angels’ praise. Peace among those on whom his favor rests. Peace among those with whom he is pleased. But without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). So, Christmas does not bring peace to all.

“This is the judgment,” Jesus said, “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19). Or as the aged Simeon said when he saw the child Jesus, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed . . . so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). Oh, how many there are who look out on a bleak and chilly Christmas day and see no more than that — a sign to be opposed.

“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11–12). It was only to his disciples that Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

The people who enjoy the peace of God that surpasses all understanding are those who in everything by prayer and supplication let their requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6–7).

The key that unlocks the treasure chest of God’s peace is faith in the promises of God. So, Paul prays, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). And when we do trust the promises of God and have joy and peace and love, then God is glorified.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! Everyone — from every people, tongue, tribe, and nation — who would believe.

John Piper 

Where Are You Searching For Peace?

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” GALATIANS 5:1

 

PONDER THIS

Grace and mercy are linked together, and they're followed by peace. Mercy and peace—that's God's order. You have the peace of God and peace with God because of the grace of God. What is peace? Peace is the result of grace and mercy. When you know grace and receive mercy, you will experience peace.

Some are trying to find peace in a pill. Others look in the bottom of a bottle, trying to drown their troubles, but their troubles can swim. Consider where you have needed peace in your life and the different things you have done to try and take hold of it. You cannot acquire peace on your own. You will never find it until you find the grace and mercy of God.

The delight of grace is that it brings us liberty and freedom. Jesus accomplished what was necessary to bring us grace and mercy, and as a result, we live free and have the peace we have been searching for in Him.

How have you tried to find peace on your own? What happened?

How have you found grace and mercy through Jesus? How have you experienced His peace?

PRACTICE THIS

Consider the areas of your life where there is an absence of peace. Surrender those things to God.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

No Shortage of Religion in America

“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” PSALM 16:11

 

PONDER THIS

The way of Jesus is the way of genuine pleasure. But the problem comes when we love pleasures more than we love God.

A church can have several thousand people in worship, but that is a fraction of its membership. Many people watch but don’t get involved. Many have other places they would rather be than in the house of God. They are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. If you look around, resorts, theaters, stadiums, and nightclubs are packed. It’s what you might call a pleasure explosion. When we think about Sunday, we have many other plans we anticipate—our lunch plans, the people we will see; we look forward to many things outside of worshiping God.

There is no shortage of religion in America. Most Americans do not need religion; they need to turn from religion to a commitment to Jesus Christ. Life in Christ is more than church attendance or lip service; it is about a life that looks to Him as genuine pleasure and trusts that He is enough. Let Him reorient your heart. Let Him change how you look at the Creator, Savior, and Helper. He is the source of pleasure and not a distraction from it.

What are some ways you have pursued pleasure over the things of God? Where has it led?

How have you found pleasure walking with God? How can you grow in your walk with Him?

PRACTICE THIS

Confess where you have sought pleasure outside of God. Ask Him to reorient your heart to find pleasure in Him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

He Himself is Our Peace

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation. . .” EPHESIANS 2:13-14

 

PONDER THIS

Do you know what God wants for you? Peace. God's thoughts toward you are not thoughts of malevolence. God is not some vengeful deity sitting up there on the throne, making a lot of rules and laws to make you squirm like a worm in hot ashes, and throwing down thunderbolts of wrath. That's not the idea. God says the thoughts I have toward you, the things that I think to you, the plans that I have for you are plans of peace. Six different times in the New Testament, He is called the God of peace.

In Judges 6:24, He is called Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our peace. Peace has been planned by the Father. He designed it, coordinated it, and outlined it so that it would be possible for you.

Our peace has been purchased by the Son. You who were far off and you who were enemies are made near now by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace. God made the plan for your life of peace with Him, and He made the provision for it. When you live the way He designed, devoted, and walking with Him, you experience the peace He desires you to experience with Him.

How have you experienced God’s peace?

How does knowing that peace has been planned and provided for you change how you handle anxiety?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to a friend about the areas in which you are struggling with anxiety instead of experiencing God’s peace. Ask your friend to pray with you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Embrace Peace Instead of Anxiety

Pray Over This

“Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.”

Psalm 85:10

 

Ponder This

Peace is a right relationship with God that leads to a right relationship with self and guides us in a right relationship with other people. It is a sense of well-being and is the result and fruit of righteousness. I want you to see how righteousness and peace are linked. It is not an artificial link. If you're an unrighteous person, you can never have peace. There is no peace for the wicked. You also can’t be at peace if you are insisting on your own way instead of embracing God. He is our righteousness, and without Him, we can never find a life of peace.

 

Righteousness and peace have kissed one another. You cannot have peace without righteousness. Peace exists in each of you because you have been made right with your Creator. It is a positive thing. It is the righteousness of God ruling and reigning in your heart. So many of us live without this peace. We embrace anxiety as our norm instead of peace. We forget this gift we have been given that equips us to live at peace on our own and with others. We are more familiar with conflict and resentment than we are with embracing this gift of God through any circumstance.

 

How have you defined peace in the past? How is that different from God’s definition of peace?

What are some ways you have looked for peace without God? What are some ways you have found peace through God?

 

Practice This

Confess to God how you have tried to find peace apart from Him and ask Him to guide you in His peace.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Power in a Sugar Cube

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” JOHN 14:26-27

 

PONDER THIS

We don’t have to pray for the Holy Spirit to come. He came on the day of Pentecost in great power. We seek to be filled with the Spirit of God to witness. That power has been given. You want to be a soul winner across the street or around the world? The Spirit of God will guide you.

He is also the one who energizes the message. I can preach the Gospel, but the Holy Spirit of God must impart the Gospel. I need more than mere words when I preach. It is the Holy Spirit of God that gives that power not only to enlighten but also to energize.

I heard it said there is enough power in a cube of sugar to destroy all of London. There’s atomic power in a cube of sugar. But it’s got to be released. It makes me think of the Church, full of people. The power is there, but that power must be released in us. We have been given the power of God to live as sent people to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.

How has the Holy Spirit’s guidance and energy to share the Gospel impacted you?

What are some ways you actively live as a witness? What are some places where that is more challenging? How does the Holy Spirit help you with those obstacles?

PRACTICE THIS

Consider who you might share your faith with today. Ask God to equip and energize you to do so.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

A Savior Instead of A Sedative

“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.”

JOHN 16:33

 

PONDER THIS

When we have an infection, we need to feel pain because the pain makes us aware of the problem. In the same way, the pain of life tells us about the infection of sin and points us to our Savior. But we have a world that doesn’t want a Savior. It wants a sedative. That’s the reason many get on recreational drugs: They don’t want to have to face the pain of life. An alcoholic tries to drown his problems. But those problems can swim. He can’t drown them. They come back to him again and again. Perhaps the biggest sedative of all is a screen. Amuse means “not to think.” But the pain is there to tell us that something is wrong.

We don’t need a sedative; we need a Savior. When we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, He doesn’t give us a sedative, He gives us joy. And joy is not there to remove the pain; joy is there to help us until the last trace of sin is removed from this Universe. When sin is gone, there’ll be no more sorrow, no more tears, and no more pain. But until that time, we need pain.

What are some painful things you have encountered in life? How have you sought to cope with them?

What escape tactics do you use when you don’t want to face the pain of life? How has that affected you?

PRACTICE THIS

Pray for someone going through a tough time. Remind that person that Jesus is always available to walk through the pain with His followers.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Greatest Inheritance

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” JOHN 14:27

 

PONDER THIS

Have you ever received anything in a will? Through Jesus, you did. On the cross He said, “My peace I give to you.” Jesus was going back to Heaven, and this is the legacy He left for you. Jesus gave you His peace, and no lawyer on Earth can nullify that will—it is yours.

If you don’t have peace, it may be that you don’t understand what you have in the name of Jesus. There’s welfare in that name. I was trying to witness to a man. We had a friendly conversation, but I approached the subject of Jesus, and he told me how he was fine without God.

He said, “You see that house? It’s paid for. I am happily married, and I have a retirement income set. I’m doing quite well, thank you.” I asked, “Do you have peace in your heart?” He said, “I told you, I’m good.” I said, “That doesn’t change my question, ‘Do you have peace in your heart?’” His chin began to quiver, and his eyes brimmed with tears, and he said, “No! I don’t have peace. How did you know?” I said, “Because the Bible says, ‘There is no peace,’ says the LORD, ‘for the wicked’” (Isaiah 48:22). Jesus is the only peace we will ever know. He is the peace that passes understanding.

Would you say you live with peace in your soul? Why or why not?

When have you had a hard time remembering your access to God’s peace?

PRACTICE THIS

Think about a current area of anxiety. Ask God that His peace would consume that concern.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Peace to Those with Whom He Is Pleased

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:12–14)

Peace for whom? There is a somber note sounded in the angels’ praise. Peace among those on whom his favor rests. Peace among those with whom he is pleased. But without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). So, Christmas does not bring peace to all.

“This is the judgment,” Jesus said, “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19). Or as the aged Simeon said when he saw the child Jesus, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed . . . so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). Oh, how many there are who look out on a bleak and chilly Christmas day and see no more than that — a sign to be opposed.

“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11–12). It was only to his disciples that Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

The people who enjoy the peace of God that surpasses all understanding are those who in everything by prayer and supplication let their requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6–7).

The key that unlocks the treasure chest of God’s peace is faith in the promises of God. So, Paul prays, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). And when we do trust the promises of God and have joy and peace and love, then God is glorified.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! Everyone — from every people, tongue, tribe, and nation — who would believe.

John Piper