Everyone, Rejoice!

Please read Romans 15:4-13.  The source of our true peace is God, not our circumstances.  When our focus is on Jesus and not our problem, peace is attainable. Paul begins by reiterating the importance of knowing Scripture.  We need to know the promises laid out about our secure future.  This occurs with intimacy – meditating on God’s word and in prayer. Paul explains that we have hope through the endurance taught in Scripture.  It is in that hope, the hope provided in Jesus that peace comes to rest.  Jesus bridged the gap by taking on our sin so that we can be gifted peace with God.  Church, having peace does not mean we are without trouble—it means while in the midst of trouble we know peace as we trust in God.  Biblical peace, God’s peace, goes straight to the heart.  Peace comes from a restored relationship with God realized through faith in Jesus.  

     In the Hebrew, peace is said shalom.  In Israel when someone greets someone or says goodbye, shalom is said.  The literal translation is “may you be full of well-being” or, “may health and prosperity be upon you.”  Shalom is more than a simple greeting, it is speaking a blessing and offering a word of wellness to those you greet. It means a completeness, an overall sense of full restoration.  It is an overflowing inner and outer joy combined with serenity felt in the heart.  Friends, as circumstances present themselves and people reevaluate and reorder priorities trusting God--which is key, His peace will settle in the heart.  Let’s avail ourselves to God’s peace…submit to his ways and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to live according to His will.  

     In the New Testament peace emphasizes unity and reconciliation.  We have all experienced a falling out with someone – when not reconciled we are held back from being fully in communion with God.  Until we address it, whether we acknowledge it or not, we are unsettled.  This is often reflected in anxiety, disappointment, resentment, or anger.   Frankly, we cannot be at peace with a heart harboring unsettledness.  For the sake of peace, Scripture makes it clear…offer forgiveness, seek forgiveness.  

     In verses 5 and 6 Paul is writing a prayer to help the Romans, and us today, to evolve and adopt a Christlike attitude.  He is explaining that we need to take responsibility to restore broken situations and as we surrender, God will give us the endurance and encouragement to persevere.  However, we need to acknowledge the situations and humble ourselves, removing our pride, submitting and responding to the Spirit’s work within us. Friends, in short, peace is about forgiveness-offering grace and mercy to others and to ourselves, letting go of the past hurts and moving forward.  We know the good news, Christ welcomes us in our brokenness, with our faults and our shortcomings and that is precisely what we are to do with all others – let us receive as we have been received, forgive as we have been forgiven. In this way we glorify God.  

     In a nutshell, peace comes from trusting God.  When we put our problems in God’s hands, He will place peace in our hearts.  Through Christ we are afforded peace, peace that comes from the assurance of salvation.  We know God will heal this broken world and He will come again.  As we settle into mid-Advent, I implore us to take responsibility--looking forward to the day and being prepared for it, making every effort to do our best to strengthen our relationship with Jesus through prayer, worship, extending love, and forgiveness and grace.  As we admit our sin, believe in Jesus as our Savior, and surrender to His power, peace will surface.  By living with an attitude that reflects our life in our Savior, we are preparing for the peace which is secure and eternal.   

    If there’s doubt, look to the story of Mary and Joseph.  Traveling about 80 miles while being pregnant, receiving visits from an angel, knowing your betrothed is pregnant and giving birth to Jesus are typically the antithesis of peace, yet Mary and Joseph knew peace.  Why? They trusted God amid their chaos and so should we.  They listened for and acted on God’s will.  Today we wait and prepare and as we do, restoration, wholeness and completeness will follow.  Peace will prevail.

Finally, cling to Romans 15:13. Reiterating the words Paul said, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” And “…since we have been justified through faith, we have the peace of God through our Lord, Jesus Church” (Romans 5:1).  Folks, it’s all about faith.  The benefit of trusting God is peace!  And all God’s people say, amen!

Shalom,

Pastor Kerry

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