A Faith That Gives Peace

Daily Reading: Romans 5

Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5.1)

Devotional Thought: Do you have, as Paul wrote in Romans 5.1, "peace with God"? 

The Quest Study Bible - with over 6000 questions and answers! - has an article called “How are we justified?”  It is excellent.  I especially appreciate the last paragraph: "The results of Jesus’ sacrifice are personally available to us simply by faith.  God has done everything required to justify us.  All that remains is for us to receive the grace of God shown on the cross.  We are justified when we stop trying to justify ourselves and depend completely on the finished work of Jesus Christ."  And, that brings us peace - knowing that our salvation doesn't depend on our own abilities.

Peace!  Isn’t that great?  We have peace in spite of the circumstances.  Troubles may come, but Jesus is the answer.  So I have peace.  I make lots of mistakes, but thanks be to God, my heart is right with him.  I know it is.  So I have peace.  Satan may buffet me, and believe me he does, but Jesus calms my storm.  So, I have peace.  My closest friends may desert me, but I have a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  So I have peace. 

The stock market may go down and unemployment may go up… The wrong party may be in control and the right party may be ineffective…  The numbers may be wrong and the tests may be right…  The bills may be higher and the pay may be lower…  But I have peace with God!  And that, in the final analysis, is what really matters!

Hallelujah!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for giving me peace.  My sins are forgiven, and Christ is my righteousness.  Help me to hold on to that most essential of all truths - through every storm and every setback, all suffering and all sorrow.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 23.1-6

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.