PEACE FROM GOD

 

I have poured out my soul before the Lord. 

1 Sam. i. 15.

HANNAH'S soul was fall of complaint and grief, which flowed over into her face and made it sorrowful. But when she had poured out her soul before the Lord, emptying out all its bitterness, the peace of God took the place of her soul‑anguish, she went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. What a glad exchange! How great the contrast! How much the better for herself, and for her home!

Is your face darkened by the bitterness of your soul? Perhaps the enemy has been vexing you sorely; or there is an unrealized hope, an unfulfilled purpose in your life; or, perchance, the Lord seems to have forgotten you. Poor sufferer, there is nothing for it but to pour out your soul before the Lord. Empty out its contents in confession and prayer. God knows it all; yet tell Him, as if He knew nothing. "Ye people, pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us." "In everything, by prayer and supplication make your requests known unto God."

As we pour out our bitterness, God pours in his peace. Weeping goes out of one door whilst joy enters at another. We transmit the cup of tears to the Man of Sorrows, and He hands it back to us filled with the blessings of the new covenant. Some day you will come to the spot where you wept and prayed, bringing your offering of praise and thanksgiving. - F. B. Meyer

The Mercies of God

Romans 12:1-2

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
[Romans 12:1]

Chapter 12 marks a major turn in the flow of Romans. For eleven chapters, Paul has explained how God’s own righteousness leads us into a right relationship with him through Christ. Now he begins to spell out some of the real-life implications of this good news. If we take seriously Romans 1-11, then everything in our lives will be different, as Romans 12-16 will begin to clarify. Chapters 1-11 say: “Here is the good news.” Chapters 12-16 say: “Now live it!”
The first words of Romans 12 make it very clear that our living as Christians is necessarily and permanently connected to the good news of God’s love in Christ. The original Greek of these words can be rendered: “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, because of the mercies of God . . .” “Therefore” binds chapters 11-16 to chapters 12-16, the theological to the ethical, the theoretical to the practical. “Mercies of God” sums up the first part of Romans in a short phrase. Through Christ, God has shown the richness of his mercy to all people, to Jews and to Gentiles...and to you and me.
The opening of Romans 12 urges us not to do as so many Christians have done, and turn the Christian life into a long list of dos and don’ts that have little to do with God’s love in Christ. Rather, we are to live out our faith in response to the mercies of God. We walk each day in the confidence of God’s grace, knowing in advance that he loves us. Our good works are a response to that love, never a means to earn it. Thus the Christian life is not a heavy burden, but the light yoke of Jesus, lived in joyful acceptance of God’s daily mercies.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: When you think of God’s “mercies,” what comes to mind? How have you experienced God’s mercy in your life? How does your daily life as a Christian reflect God’s mercy in Christ?

IN WHAT DO YOU BOAST?

Psalm 20:1-9

Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
     but we boast in the name of the LORD our God.
[Psalm 20:7] When I was a boy, my parents taught me that it was wrong to boast. My parents taught me well, helping me to avoid my natural tendency toward self-glorification.
When Psalm 20:7 uses the word "boast," it translates a Hebrew verb, the root of which means "to remember." The particular form of the verb in this verse has the basic sense of "cause to remember." It signifies proclaiming or praising something so that others will take note. Thus, verse 7 points out that, though some nations brag about their military might, the Israelites boast "in the name of the LORD our God." They do not glory in their own strength, but rather trust in and proclaim the power of almighty God.
I don't think Psalm 20:7 gives us a reason to become overly boastful people, even if we are drawing attention to God. But this verse certainly challenges us to give credit where credit is due. When we enjoy successes in our lives, we ought to remember who lies behind our accomplishments. It is appropriate to acknowledge the Lord in a way that upholds his grace and power.
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: How can we faithfully boast in the Lord without turning people off? Are there things in your life that you take credit for, when the credit really belongs to God? How might you be able to acknowledge the Lord today?
PRAYER: Dear Lord, in so many ways, we can be like the nations who boast in their own strength. We can brag about ourselves, our families, our churches, our nation. We can think and speak as if we are the ones who control our fate, as if we have accomplished greatness on our own. Forgive us when we fail to give you the credit you deserve.
Teach us, Lord, how to boast of you in a way that is true and appropriate. Give us the courage to acknowledge you even when things in our lives don't turn out as we wish. In all things, may we glorify you in our deeds and our words. Amen.