“Give you anything I got for a little peace of mind….”
Pitiful John Lennon. He sang that song, but missed out on the peace.
Meanwhile Paul, from a prison cell, admonishes the saints on what to meditate:
Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.
9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
He ends the admonishment with the assurance that the God of peace will be with you when you are in that place.
In Colossians, Paul tells us this what to seek and on what to set our minds:
Colossians 3:1-4
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
There’s more than a theme here. This has much to say about our success and stability during trying times, when wickedness roars loudly in an effort to terrorize us, to generate anger and rage, even to motivate us to respond to evil with evil. In our composure in God is our peace and our success. The resting place. What you choose to dwell on, focus on, live in will determine your “peace index”.
We are not yet at a point where the world is deceived into thinking peace peace when there is no peace. That’s coming, but not quite yet. Stay tuned.
Right now there’s little or no peace and most people know it, admitting it or not. But there will come a time when a false peace will be over the world, and even in that deceptive “peaceful” season, our focus must not be on the false and temporary world peace, but instead upon the elements of righteousness. In fact, I believe that the season of false peace will be a trap for some well-intended saints who will want to prematurely beat their swords into plowshares, before the actual battle is over.
There is and will continue to be warfare for our minds and our spirits in all times prior to the return of our Lord, and He is training us up so that we can be victorious in all seasons, as things escalate.
David modeled the concept of intentional turning away from even dwelling on mastering an understanding of evil, and instead focusing his mind, heart and spirit on the things of God, when he received a timeless revelation regarding the wicked.
Fast Forward to 2015 – I believe we are already being shown the deeper workings of the wicked, and we, like David, would do best to not dwell too long on those revelations, even when they are accurate. Here’s the exemplary text. Note that it is Psalm 36. That would be 6×6 – the square of the number of man. The fullness of man at his worst.
I picture David, on his knees, crying out to God: “WHAT MAKES THEM TICK?”
(David understood falling into wickedness in times of his own weakness. He paid the price for those actions, but he also understood the forgiveness of God to the repentant)
This (assumed) cry of David was not about the run-of-the-mill sinner. It was about the truly wicked.
So imagine with me, as David cries to God: “WHAT MAKES THEM TICK?” and then writes this psalm after receiving this revelation (oracle).
Psalm 36:1-10
1 An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked:
(the doorway to wickedness is the absence of any fear of God, including the complete absence of trembling at His word, or appreciating His authority and command for our holiness)
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
(The self-justification)
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes,
When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.
(The wicked can often sound OK)
3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
(This “wicked man model” appears to have been wise at one time, wisdom always beginning with the fear of the Lord)
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 He devises wickedness on his bed;
He sets himself in a way that is not good;
He does not abhor evil.
NOW, HERE’S THE EXAMPLE FOR US TO FOLLOW: Remember, we’re only at verse 4, yet David, having received this revelation of wickedness chooses to go no further into its depths. Instead of dwelling in that dark place, he turns and purposely sets his mind and heart on the things above. He goes to the place of worship and proclamation of the goodness and holiness of God.
5 Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains;
Your judgments are a great deep;
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
I believe the scriptures point to the days becoming darker and more troubling prior to the imminent return of our Lord.
A. In our understanding; AND
B. As a result of our intentional focus upon the things of righteousness,
…will be the true peace reserved only for the redeemed.
all scripture NKJV
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