Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. ~Psalm 119:165
What does peace mean to you? Is there peace within your heart? Peace is an inner tranquility in which there is no anxiety, turbulence, struggle, or worry. It is a state of being that says, "All is well." It is one thing to have peace. The psalmist speaks about great peace, which is something that he experienced. Do you know the means by which great peace can be in your heart today?
The psalmist had many people on the outside who were causing him trouble. He refers to them as persecutors. There were those who were making void God’s laws. There was the scorning and criticism that he had to endure. In v. 143, he speaks of trouble and anguish having taken hold of him. In v. 158, he speaks of being grieved because of the transgressors. He was being afflicted. Within his soul, there was turmoil, unrest, and spiritual palpitations. He was sleepless, and he cried through the nights. In short, there was an absence of peace. Perhaps you have been down this same path. When there is an absence of peace, your life is miserable and seemingly hopeless.
God is the Giver of peace. He is the God of all peace. Faith in Jesus Christ as Savior places us at peace with God. Peace with God enables us to have the peace of God. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Peace is when you can be still on the inside in spite of everything happening on the outside. There is a peace that passes all understanding. This means the peace that God gives us is unexplainable by words or wisdom. Where there is peace, there is harmony. Where there is peace, there is calm. In the midst of a terrible storm, Jesus spoke three words that stopped it: He said, “Peace be still.” Great peace is supernatural; great peace is sustainable; great peace is substantial.
“Great peace have they which love thy law.” Great peace is only attainable to those who have made a love for God’s Word the priority of their life. A love for God’s law should drive us to a daily time in His Word. “I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” A love for God’s Word should result in a devoted obedience. “My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and I love them exceedingly. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.” A love for the Word of God insulates us from the unrest on the outside. A love for God’s Word strengthens us in spite of our weakness. A love for God’s Word controls our thoughts and keeps strongholds from overcoming them. A love for God’s Word leads us to praising God frequently through the day for His righteousness. A love for God’s Word is the only means by which great peace can be attained.
“And nothing shall offend them.” Where there is great peace, the criticisms, scorn, and threats cannot affect you. Where there is great peace, the weight of the problems cannot crush you. Where there is great peace, you have escaped the entrapment of bitterness, ill will, and unforgiveness. In effect, there are no stumbling blocks that will trip you up.
Do you have great peace? Shouldn’t you make it a high priority to attain this peace as our devotion speaks of this morning?
Bible Reading Schedule: Ecclesiastes 1-4
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