Quick Note – 2 Kings 9:22 – True Peace

2 Kings 9:22 – 22 And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?”

Have you been struggling to find peace in your life?  Is your heart and mind filled with turmoil and pain?  There is likely a reason for that, and that reason is sin.  Jehu was anointed by a prophet to become the replacement king for Joram, a descendant of King Ahab.  Ahab was an evil king who brought Baal worship into Israel.  His descendants followed in his footsteps, leading to the people away from God ant into idolatry.  For this reason, God sent Jehu to punish the family of Ahab.  Jehu, after hearing that he was anointed as king, then led a rebellion against Ahab’s kingdom.  He rode to Jezreel, where King Joram was staying, to kill Joram.  As he was riding, Joram met Jehu and asked, “Is it peace, Jehu?”  To which Jehu replied, “What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?”  Basically, Jehu was saying, “There can be no peace in Israel as long as idolatry continues.”  There can be no peace when there is sin against God. 

The right place for mankind is to be in a close relationship with God.  We were created for this purpose, so we find our peace when we are close to Him.  However, sin is an abomination to God, and as long as, sin sits in our lives, our relationship with Him is broken.  Why do you think God had to send Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden after they sinned against Him?  It was because God cannot be in the presence of sin; for He is a holy God.  This is why God needed to send His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to pay for the penalty of our sins.  By doing so, He opened a route so that we can have a restored relationship with Him by believing that Jesus Christ saves us from our sin.  By giving our lives to Him as Savior and Lord, we find peace.  Jesus gives us His peace (John 14:27). 

So if you feel like you don’t have peace in your heart and life right now?  Consider whether you have given your life to Christ.  He is the only One who can bring true and lasting peace in your heart.  You might find temporary reprieve in what the world gives, but it will never give you peace.  True peace can only come when there is no sin in the heart, and that can only come about through Jesus Christ.  And if you are a Christian, and you aren’t experiencing that peace right now, consider whether there is sin in your life that needs to be confessed and repented from.  God does not take sin lightly, so banish it, remove it, and have a pure, unadulterated, open relationship with Him. 

Quick Note – Acts 12:12-16 – Eat Your Words!

Acts 12:12-16 – 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.

I am sure that there has been a time in your life where you had to eat your words.  You called somebody a liar and later found out that he or she was telling the truth.  You said that something could not be done, but a few moments later were proven wrong.  How did you react after that happened?  Did you humbly apologize for what you said?  Or did you simply walk away in embarrassment? 

I wonder what the disciples at Mary’s house did when they realized that the servant girl Rhoda was telling the truth.  These disciples were gathered together, praying for the deliverance of Peter from jail.  These disciples were hoping that God would miraculously save Peter from execution by the hand of Herod.  But when Rhoda answered the door, saw Peter, and told the disciples that he was alive, well, and standing at the gate, rather than believing her words, they mocked her saying, “You are out of your mind” and “It is his angel!”  They were praying for a miracle from God, but they didn’t believe that it would actually happen; so when Rhoda told them it did, they scoffed.  They most certainly had to eat their words when a few minutes later, they heard more knocking, walked to the door, and saw Peter standing there.  They definitely owed Rhoda an apology. 

We can learn two important lessons from the interaction between these disciples and Rhoda.  The first is that when we pray to God for something, we must trust and believe that He can do it.  These disciples were asking for Peter’s deliverance from Herod, but it doesn’t seem like they believed that God could or would do it.  What was the point of them praying then, if they didn’t think that God would answer their prayers?  All they were doing was muttering empty words.  A lot of us as Christians do the same.  We come to God with a request, but we have no faith that He will actually pull through.  This is the wrong attitude, for when we pray, we must believe that God can and will do it if it is in His will.  We must trust that our God will do what is best for us, just as He says in Romans 8:28, “…For those who love God all things work together for good…”

The second thing we can learn from this passage is that we should never discount the miracles that happen to others.  Sometimes, when we hear about God’s miraculous healing of an individual or God’s provision for a time of need or God’s protection from an accident, we discount it.  We hear the story and think to ourselves, “Did that really happen?  It was probably just a coincidence.  It was probably them exaggerating what occurred.”  However, who are we to disregard a person’s testimony?  Who are we to assume that God can’t or isn’t willing to work a miracle in their lives?  Our God is great and powerful.  He created the universe with a word.  He hears every prayer and knows all that is in our hearts.  He loved us unconditionally.  So who are we to say that God cannot work a miracle?  He can; He did; and He continues to do that every day.  So let us not become so calloused that we disbelieve.  Rather let us rejoice in the miracle and praise God for the miracle He has worked in the lives of others, just as the disciples should have done when they heard the good news from Rhoda.  That doesn’t mean that we aren’t discerning about false teachers and prophets, for we must certainly make sure that they are following God’s Word.  But we should also be open to God’s grace, mercy, and ability to work miracles daily.   

Quick Note – 2 Samuel 14:32-33 – Not Content with Just Getting By

2 Samuel 14:32-33 – 32 Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent word to you, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” Now therefore let me go into the presence of the king, and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.’” 33 Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.

Absalom was David’s third son; he was the son of Maacah; he was the half-brother of David’s firstborn son Amnon; and he was the brother of Tamar.  He is most well-known for leading a short rebellion against his father David, when he tried to usurp the throne.  But before that happened, he actually was a pretty good brother and son.  Years before turning against his father, Absalom took revenge and murdered his brother Amnon for raping his sister Tamar.  Knowing that this murder would likely lead to the punishment of death, Absalom fled to the country of Geshur to find safety (2 Samuel 13). 

Three years later though, King David, after hearing a request from his servant Joab, let his son Absalom return from exile.  However, there was a stipulation – he would not be allowed to come into his presence.  He would be restored physically in that he was back in Israel, but he would not be accepted back into the family, because he would not be allowed to see his father.  For two years, Absalom was okay with this arrangement.  At least, he was home, but he finally became fed up with this half-hearted return.  He didn’t only want to get the benefit of being restored, but he wanted a restored relationship with his father.  So, he burned down Joab’s field to get his attention and requested that he be allowed to see his father once again.  It was after that ordeal that David summoned Absalom, forgave him, and restored his son. 

Although Absalom is not really a person that we as Christians should look up to, there is a quality of his that we should implement into our lives as Christians.  We see it in the passage we have today, when Absalom said, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.  Now therefore let me go into the presence of the king, and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.”  Absalom was not happy to simply get the benefits of being restored, but he wanted a restored relationship with his father. 

Many people come to Christ simply because they want the benefit of getting out of hell.  They want their “get out of jail for free” card.  And yes, when you give your life to Christ, you do get that.  But how many of us Christians want a real and true restored relationship with our Heavenly Father?  Unlike David who put a stipulation to keep Absalom away, our God, when He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins, was seeking a way to restore our relationship with Him.  He wanted to fix the brokenness that happened because of sin and to give us the opportunity to draw near to Him once again. 

Unfortunately, many Christians are content with just getting by.  They don’t care about knowing God or building a relationship with Him.  They are just happy to not have to go to hell.  This is the wrong attitude for a Christian.  This is the attitude of a person who only cares about the benefits and not about the relationship.  We should not be content with simply getting by, rather we should seek to build a closer relationship with the Father.  Like Absalom who longed to be restored to King David, we should long to grow closer to God.  The benefits of being saved are enormous – our sins are forgiven; we don’t have to go to hell; we have hope of eternal life after death; and we have a home in heaven.  But these benefits are nothing compared to the benefit of getting to have a relationship with God.  A relationship with God is the prize we should value to most.  Nothing else compares to that. 

Quick Note – John 21:20-22 – What Is That to You?

John 21:20-22 – 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

Peter had just been asked by Jesus three times, “Do you love me?”  And even though it hurt Peter, Jesus asked him these questions to reinforce his faith and love for Christ.  After Peter responded to each of these questions, Jesus commanded him to take care of His sheep (the other disciples and believers in Christ).  He then finished his conversation with Peter by telling him that one day he would be forced to walk where he would not want to go, prophesying the type of death Peter would experience. 

But Peter wasn’t content with receiving this job and hearing this prophecy.  It didn’t seem fair that he was questioned by Christ, that he was given these tasks to do, and that his future death seemed to be one of a martyr’s.  So he asked Jesus, “What about this man?”  Peter was likely subtly asking, “What about this other disciple?  What about John?  What will happen to him?  And what commands do you have for him to do?”  Instead of acquiescing to Peter’s question, Jesus answered by saying, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?  You follow me!”  Instead of focusing on others, Jesus wanted Peter to focus on Him.  It didn’t matter what was going to happen to John.  It didn’t matter if John had a job or task.  All that mattered was that Jesus gave this command to Peter, and it was Peter’s job to obey.

In our lives as Christians, we are sometimes called by God to do certain things.  It is usually easy to do it when we know that others are working too.  But sometimes, it seems like God has put all the burden on our shoulders, while others get the benefit.  It’s as if we are called to do the work, while other Christians don’t have to.  It is usually in those times that we complain to God by saying, “What about them?  Why don’t they contribute?  Why aren’t they doing this task?  Why is all the work left for me?  This isn’t fair!”  It is during these times that we like Peter mistakenly shift our focus away from Christ and towards others.  And it is during these times that it is crucial for us to remember what Jesus told Peter, “What is that to you?  You follow me!” 

It doesn’t matter what God has planned for the lives of others.  It doesn’t matter what job or task they have been assigned or what their future holds.  Our job is to simply follow the plan that God has set for our own lives.  Regardless of the task, regardless of the situation, regardless of what is happening to others, we follow Christ.  It isn’t our job to question God’s plans.  For His plans are greater than our plans, and His ways greater than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).  It isn’t our job to manage other people’s lives.  For what is that to us?  Our job, simply put, is to obey Christ – whatever He has given for us to do.  If it is to sing in the choir, then sing with all your heart, making a joyful noise to Him.  If it is to preach, then share the Word of God with clarity and poise.  If it is to clean the sanctuary, then do it all without complaining.  God has a unique plan for every one of His disciples.  We were all given a part to play and a job to do.  So instead of looking at others, focus on Christ, follow Him, and do what He has called you to do. 

Quick Note – 1 Samuel 30:6 – Comfort in Distress

1 Samuel 30:6 – And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters.  But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

David and his men were living amid the Philistines when they were running from Saul, who was looking to kill David.  While living with the Philistines, David made friends with the king and was given the village of Ziklag to live in.  From there, he and his men would make raids against foreign armies.  When the Philistines were going to make war with Israel, David was then called to the battle but immediately sent home by the lords of the Philistines, who were afraid that he might turn on them.  But to his surprise, when he returned to Ziklag, he found that the town was burned with fire and his family and the family of his men were all taken captive by the Amalekites.  They were captured and taken away. 

When they found out about what had happened, David and his men were rightfully grieved.  They raised their voices and wept until they had no strength to weep (vs. 4).  It was after weeping, that David’s men began to consider whether they should stone him.  It was his fault that they were living with the Philistines.  It was his fault that they were not there to protect their village.  It was his fault that their wives and children were now gone.  Hearing about this potential mutiny, David was greatly distressed.  However, rather than giving in to his fear, to his sadness, to his pain, David sought God.  David turned to God and found comfort, strength, and encouragement. 

When we are faced with times of difficulty, where do we run to for help?  Some people turn towards destructive habits like drugs and alcohol.  Some people try to find safety in their wealth and insurance.  Some people try to be productive and to turn to their work, ignoring the problem all together.  And some even try to find hep and counsel in friends, family, or psychiatrists.  But true strength, true help is not found in these things.  True strength and comfort can only be found in God.  When we are in trouble, the first person we should run to is to God.  He is our Lord; He is our Savior; He is our Friend.  He is willing and ready to receive with open arms and to comfort you during your times of distress.  So find your strength in Him, regardless of what is troubling you.