Peace Is Possible
This is a relative term. I may at peace with myself, but no one but me and the Lord, knows what that means. I can have peace with others, but they may or may not feel at peace with me. We may have peace around the world with other countries, but we still try to beat them, and they try to beat us in competition for money and power. That’s not unlike my profession (REALTOR), where we compete, but we have to cooperate with our competitors to be successful. In reality, I should work to be a peace with everyone, as far as it depends on me.
These offerings that the people gave were real and tangible and designed to really move and shape their heart. They were to fear the Lord and cultivate their relationship with Him by doing certain things and presenting offerings that cost them something. These offerings were a bit disturbing but that may have very well been the point. The Peace offering was optional, I think. Check this out…
1 “If you present an animal from the herd as a peace offering to the Lord, it may be a male or a female, but it must have no defects.
3 The priest must present part of this peace offering as a special gift to the Lord. (Leviticus 3:1-3a NLT)
I have a feeling that people who presented peace offerings were doing so to make a point to a person or persons that they may have been in conflict with. The Lord may a way under the Old Law for a person to be forgiven and restored. Thankfully, through Jesus, it’s not as complicated, although is as complete. God’s forgiveness is complete. He removes our sins completely when He forgives. I don’t always feel forgiven, because I can’t forgive myself as easily and completely as the Lord. I do want the peace that God gives, but it’s harder to forgive myself, because I have a good memory.
The Apostle Paul writes a remedy to peace. He says to pray about EVERYTHING. Check this out….
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)
The Giver of Peace is God. He wants to know me and walk with me. He is the Source of Peace and the Giver of Peace. Peace with God is not illusive, unless I try to figure things out on my own. Check this out…
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (1 Peter (5:6-7 NLT)
Presing On!
Dwayne