The Disciple and His Perfect Peace
Imanuel G. Christian
January 2012
Last month we noted that the birth of Christ in our hearts prepares the way for us to fulfill the longing of our human hearts. At the same time, we also noted that we are still groaning with the eager expectations of our final redemption, and our prayer still is, “Come, Thou long expected Jesus”. Even after the Son of righteousness has been born in our hearts, we continue to live in the “world with devils filled that threaten to undo us” and face all kinds of problems and heartaches that are common to humanity. As we begin the year 2012 we do not know how the year will go and what kinds of problems we will face. In this situation how can we have the perfect peace that is promised in the Word of God?
Yes, the Word of God does promise perfect peace and overflowing joy. The prophet Isaiah described this perfect peace and overflowing joy in beautiful poetry, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; (so much joy and peace that) the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12).
Although Isaiah is describing this in the context of the millennial kingdom, in some ways we can experience that perfect peace and overflowing joy even today. As believers we do not have to wait to experience all the blessings of heaven until after we die and go to be in the presence of the Lord where there is fullness of joy and eternal pleasures (Psalm 16:11). We can, at least in some measure, experience these blessing even in this life. Eternity begins at the moment we come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
In the New Year how can we experience the heavenly joy and peace in spite of us living in the world that is still under the grip of the evil one? First of all, we need to change our focus. Much of the time we focus on our own life surrounded by problems, on the evil that surrounds us, on our disappointments and frustrations. All these things weigh us down and rob us of our joy and peace.
Instead of that, our focus should be on God in whom and through whom all our questions are answered and problems resolved. When the psalmist focused on the evil around him (Psalm 73), his heart was grieved and his spirit became bitter (v. 21). But when he changed his focus to be on God he realized, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (vv. 25-26). As Isaiah said, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
Secondly, we need to change our priorities. Much of our life is spent on making a living and not enjoying life, in worrying about things we do not have, and in taking care of things we do have. Like our garages, our life is cluttered with so many things and activities that drain our energy, use up our time and resources, and rob us of our joy and peace. We believers, too, have been dragged into a consumer mindset and try to find our joy in having
a certain standard of living, so when things change and we cannot maintain it, our world goes upside down. Contentment is not having everything we want, but enjoying things we have; learning “the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12). It is in this context that Paul makes the next statement; “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (v. 13).
Instead of focusing on the things of this world, our priorities should be focused on eternal things: serving the Lord, being a joy and blessing to others, and accumulating eternal treasures. Things of this world are temporary, but they can be used to build up eternal treasures. If this is our priority, we can trust God to meet all our basic needs. David said, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed” (Psalm 37:25-26). It is rare that we have to worry about our basic needs like shelter, clothes and food. Most of our worries are about things beyond our basic needs.
Thirdly, we have to live a life that is totally pleasing to the Lord. No believer can have the joy and peace promised in the Word of God as long as there is an unforgiven sin in his/her life. As David said, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3-4). Of course, as long as we are in this life, we cannot live a sinless life. But as we grow in the Lord we sin less and less and the goal is, like Job, to live a life that is blameless and upright, fearing God and turning away from evil (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3). If there is any sin in our life we have to immediately ask forgiveness from God and, if necessary, from others whom we may have offended.
Finally, the goal of the believer’s life is not just to enjoy this life, although there is nothing wrong in that as God allows us to enjoy it (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25; 3:22; 5:18-20), but to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Because it is only in a relationship with Him that this life not only becomes meaningful, but also joyful. As Solomon said, “For without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” (Ecclesiastes 2:25). No One! As children of God we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing, with the things that really matter from the eternal perspective.
If we make God our focus in 2012, and make knowing Him, loving Him and serving Him our priority, then the things of this world will grow strangely dim and we will be able not only to appreciate our spiritual blessings, but also to be able to enjoy this life and the things of this world, and our life will be more and more filled with the joy and peace that God desires us to have.
O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
(Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)
(Next month: End of the world on 12-21-12?)
