Scripture:
Numbers 7:22-26 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Instruct Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.”
Observation:
I like this blessing. When I think about actually saying it to someone, I squirm. How do you lead into and out of an official blessing?
Prayer:
Lord, I don’t know if it’s selfish to pray these things for myself, but I do ask for your blessing and protection; I want you to smile on me and be gracious to me, and I crave your favor and need your peace.
Scripture:
Luke 19:2 “There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich.”
Observation:
Jesus doesn’t often interact with the most influential. He spends his time with the least of these. But Zacchaeus – he calls him out and goes to his house. Theoretically, his interaction with Zacchaeus not only affected the way he acted on behalf of the Romans, but on the tax collectors around him. The crowds displeasure is so short-sighted. They know the transformational power of Christ. How can they not be thrilled that Christ is targeting this sector of their lives?
Application:
I know I’m short-sighted – especially when I consider the scope of God’s plan. I won’t necessarily be able to derive the long-term effects of events, or short-term for that matter, and because of this, I guess what it ultimately means is that I need to trust God and rest in the peace of knowing that, despite the events and circumstances of my life, the long term effects of God’s actions will yield good results.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for holding the world in your hands, thank you for holding me. Help me always trust you in this knowledge.
Scripture:
Colossians 1:19-20 “For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross.”
Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.”
Observation:
God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything. I’m called to let that peace rule in my heart in order to live at peace with others.
Application:
I’ve been praying for peace the last couple days. I’m still upset that Ian and Erin are leaving the group, and don’t seem interested in trying to repair it. Katie and Craig were asking me about it yesterday at church; as soon as we each went on our way, I could tell I wasn’t at peace with it yet. I didn’t leave the conversation feeling like I was “full of grace” (Colossians 4:6). That to say, God made peace with us so we can make peace with each other: I need to submit this situation to God.
Prayer:
Lord … please give me peace. Help me reconcile whatever needs to be reconciled.
Scripture:
Romans 15:13 “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.”
Observation:
Sometimes I stray from God in my search for joy and peace. He is the source for these. Allowing GOD to fill me with joy and peace guarantees a full and overflowing cup. Beyond this – the joy and peace that come from God are purposed to bring us hope. Do other sources do this? I certainly think there are other sources of joy and peace, but they’re not reliable, not sustainable, and there is ultimately no hope in them. God wants us so filled with joy and peace, that our hope is overflowing.
Application:
I should do a “source check” on a weekly basis. From where have I sought joy and peace in the last seven days? I know for this last week it hasn’t been Christ as much as it should.
Prayer:
Lord, I know I can find satisfying joy, peace, and hope in you; please keep me focused on Christ.
Scripture:
Job 19:25-27 “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the eart at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes, I am overwhelmed at the thought!”
Observation:
My Redeemer lives. Something about that phrase fills me with triumph, comfort, and peace. I do think it’s interesting that Job says it – As Christians, when we talk about a “living God” it is wrapped up in Christs’ resurrection – Job was a Jew, certainly a follower of a living God, but this phrase sticks out as unique to me.
Job ’s despair is great, as are his reasons for having it. He seems to lose it at times, asserting his own righteousness and perfection, but he returns to these thoughts about God – My Redeemer lives.
Application:
My Redeemer lives! I always have reason for hope, reason for peace, reason for love, reason for grace … I have been redeemed – saved from living a life without this light.
Prayer:
Thank you Lord for being a living God, for redeeming my soul, and for the hope that gives me in this life.
