Peace With God

I remember several years ago when I was a young student pastor in Tennessee, being part of a Bible Study called “Peace Treaty With God”. There were a lot of truths that came from that study that really shaped the outcome of my life. It wasn’t until several years later that I discovered the value of a daily journey with God before I begin my day. I absolutely cherish the time with Him in the morning. It will be Monday today – all day long and those can be somewhat more difficult than other days.

Elisha sends a young prophet to anoint a new King of Judah. The old king is still in place, but the Lord is about to replace him. The Lord is frustrated with the evil that both the King of Israel and the King of Judah are leading their people into. This young prophet anoints a young army officer named Jehu to be the next king of Judah. Jehu gets right to work eradicating the evil idolatry and witchcraft. Check this out…

21 ‘Hitch up my chariot,’ Joram ordered. And when it was hitched up, Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu. They met him at the plot of ground that had belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 When Joram saw Jehu he asked, ‘Have you come in peace, Jehu?’

‘How can there be peace,’ Jehu replied, ‘as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?’ (2 Kings 9:21-22 NIV)

I believe that peace with God begins inside my heart and works it way out in the everyday routines and behavior of my life. I don’t think that I can pretend to be at peace with God on the outside and then have war inside. I believe that I must start with my heart first. I was goggling the “Peace With God” study that I referred to earlier and found this great quote from Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California…

You’re never going to make peace with others until you make peace with God, and the only way you’re going to make peace with God is surrender. You were made to live with him as the manager, CEO, and chairman of the board of your life. –Rick Warren

I agree that Peace With God starts with me surrendering my ideas, my will, my work, my family, my friends – everything I consider to be mine – is surrendered to Him.

I know it sounds weird that to win the war against sin in my life, really starts with surrender. This is not an ordinary war. I can’t possibly win this war on my own strength or my own terms. I must surrender to the Lord my heart and my soul and He does the fighting on my behalf.

Pressing On!

Dwayne