THE GOD OF PEACE BE WITH US
By Pastor Paulus Budiono
Lemah Putro, Sunday, December 29, 2019
Shalom,
When we sang the song “Teach us Lord to number our days”, was it true that we had numbered our days that we had gone through? Or if we have personal problems, marriage problems, economic problems in our households, and so on, we start to number our days and their problems and then come to the Lord in prayer and fasting to ask help from Him?
Is God really able to help us? What does He promise us? Philippians 4:8-9 wrote, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Are we sure that the God of peace is with us? Who is closer and more intensive to be with us, God or our bodyguard? The presence and protection of our bodyguard are still limited by time and place while God is with us wherever, whenever and in any circumstances.
The verses above were written by Apostle Paul who was imprisoned; he certainly had experienced the differences of the family and friends who were only able to be with him for a few hours according to the visiting hours, while God was with him in joy or sorrow.
Notice that God’s presence happened if we had firstly believed/had faith that He exists (Hebrews 11:6) as experienced by some people of faith: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, etc. (vv. 4-5, 7-39). God pours the blessings of peace upon those who truly seek for Him.
If we really know God precisely, we will not live wrongly in our social life at school, workplace or our ministry. The impact is that God be with us and the blessing of peace will cover us.
How are the phases and processes to receive the peace of God? Thinking (faith) → practicing (hope) → God (love) is with us that the peace is poured. In other words, if we don’t have faith in the Word of God, we will receive nothing; if we don’t practice it, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:17, 26) and the dead will get nothing, feel nothing and also need nothing.
Almost all the books in the New Testament, except the Epistle of John, mentioned the word “peace” (Greek: Irene). Who said it first? Jesus. He told His disciples to say “Irene” when entering a house (Luke 10:5). After being risen from death, Jesus came to His disciples who were hiding in fear behind locked doors, and He said, “Peace (= Irene) to you!” even twice (John 20:19, 21). The transformation of sorrow to become joy happened once the word “Irene” proceeded out of the mouth of Jesus.
Application: the “Irene” we deliver shall make others be joyful.
Why should our (human) thought/mind be synchronized with the mind of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5)? Because we still have carnal minds. For example:
♦ Joseph was thinking humanly when he wanted to secretly divorce Mary who was conceiving before having any sexual relationship with him (Matthew 1:19). Joseph was using his own thought and would like to act according to his own mind. Joseph’s thought was quite logical and was not wrong, but the Lord intervened his wrong thought and action and told him to take Mary as his wife also to name the Child who would be born, Jesus, to fulfill the Word of the Prophets. Furthermore, he had to give the name Immanuel that means: God with us (vv. 20 – 23).
♦ What about the thought of the virgin, Mary (± 14-15 years) when she knew that she was conceiving? At first, she thought that it was impossible since she had no husband (Luke 2:27-31). But her mindset was changed after receiving the explanation from the angel Gabriel and accepted it (“be it unto me”) and also to position herself as the servant of God (v. 38),
Apostle Paul exhorted us to have the eight thoughts as written in Philippians 4:8, namely: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy. If we are able to think of these eight thoughts (not only some of them) we will receive the promise of God’s presence.
The Psalmist said, “Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on his Law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:2-3)
It is necessary to know that thoughts will produce deeds. The fact is, we are often provoked with what we see, hear and feel then we start to think. The consequence is what we are thinking is not entirely true. Are we able to ponder/think of the Word of God (the Law) day and night (24 hours) as described in the eight thoughts above? Remember that the Bible is written not only for pastors but for all of us, sinners, that we are helped, protected and the Lord is together with us. The problem is, how could He help us if we don’t want to ponder on His Word? We often complain when we listen to the Word of God preached longer than usual but when problem comes, we pray a lot to the Lord and blame Him if our problems are not yet settled by Him. Be cautious, if we are using our own thought which is wrong and not good, it will result in a wrong action too. On the contrary, if we are using our mind correctly, our whole body, soul and spirit will be filled with righteousness.
What is meant with “what is true”? All matters that are not hidden or openly said, such as: there shouldn’t be any hidden, everything must be confessed so that we can do the right thing to have peace in ourselves.
Who is right? The foundation of God’s Word is the truth and His law is right forever (Psalm 119:160).
Where is the Word of God? The Word of God stands firm in heaven (Psalm 119:89). (The Word of) God is in heaven that is immeasurable because He is the Creator of heaven and earth. For God, the earth He
created was seen so small, let alone, we who live on earth. His truth is so great to protect our lives. His Word is transparent and there is no lie in it for it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).
Is God too great? God is great but He became Man (Jesus) as we are; nevertheless, He is sinless. Isn’t it true that when we have close relationship with someone, we will be happy to communicate with the person also to read the letter from that person that has messages and advice to be obeyed? It is different when we dislike someone, we will be ignorant and not willing to touch his/her letter! The fact is, we are lazy and unhappy to read the Bible that wants to correct our mistakes and shortcomings so that we will receive His peace.
The Great God became man and promised to live in (the inner) heart that nothing is hidden/covered before Him.
But the Lord is the righteous God; He is the living God, the eternal King. When He is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath (Jeremiah 10:10). He gave His one and only Son to come to earth (John 3:16) so that we know and abide in Him who is the righteous One namely the Son of God, Jesus Christ (1 John 5:20-21).
Apostle Paul didn’t only encourage the Philippians (but also us) to think of the eight thoughts above but he further said that we shall put into practice of whatever we have learned or received or heard from him, or seen in him (Philippians 4:9). In other words, Paul had become a role model for he followed the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). For no word from God will ever fail (Luke 1:37), He is able to change Paul’s life who was fierce and cold-blooded toward the followers of Christ to become His loving and humble follower.
Apostle Paul exhorted young Timothy not to take the example of Jannes and Jambres who opposed the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected (2 Timothy 3:8-9). However, Timothy was asked to know all about Paul’s teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance (v. 10). Timothy was asked to experience sufferings as Paul did (v. 11) and reminded that the Scripture is known from infancy, which is able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (v. 15).
Application: The pastors, elders, deacons, cell group leaders, priests, etc. should be more diligent to learn the Word of God and practice it to be examples for the congregation and the people around them.
Do we receive the peace and presence of the Lord in facing life challenges that is getting more burdensome? There is no other way/path except we must think (have faith) on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, and put into practice to have hope of the future that (the love of) God is with us (Immanuel) and peace (Irene) cover our lives. Amen.