A song by the great blues musician Landon Spradlin
Seeking
peace
B1 Psalm 34:14 NIV Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and
pursue it.
C1 Most of us at one time or another have said something true or not,
then have been attacked by bullying, shaming, gas-lighting, false
accusations, etc.
C2 The Christian response must be, “Let’s talk this over.” We
are not to seek revenge, bully, shame, rage against them, making
others feel they are crazy, lie, etc. We need to seek peace. Proverbs
15:28 NLT The heart of the godly thinks carefully before
speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
C3 The Christian response must be, “Let’s wait to talk this
over.” We are not to go on the attack and argue. We need to seek
peace, not pick a fight. Proverbs 15:1 NIV A gentle answer turns
away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
C4 We have all failed many times, but with God’s grace we can do
what is right.
C5 The word peace
is שָׁלוֹם
shâlôwm. It means safety, health, peace, friendship,
tranquility, etc.
C6 The word seek
is בָּקַשׁ
bâqash. It means seek, search, make request, etc.
C7 The word pursue
is רָדַף
râdaph. It means to run after, chase, with diligence
and perserverance. It is a high priority.
C8 In seeking and pursuing peace let us remember: Romans 12:9-10 NLT
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is
wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine
affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
C9 1 Peter 3:8-11 GW Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be
sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble. Don't
pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule
those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called
to inherit a blessing. "People who want to live a full life and
enjoy good days must keep their tongues from saying evil things, and
their lips from speaking deceitful things. They must turn away from
evil and do good. They must seek peace and pursue it.
B2 Matthew 5:9 GW Blessed are those who make peace. They will be
called God's children.
Being
in peace, calm, and tranquility
B1 Isaiah 26:3 CSB You will keep the mind that is dependent on you
in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.
C1 ESV: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
C2 NLV: You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept
on You, because he trusts in You.
C3 The word for dependent,
stayed, kept, etc. is סָמַךְ
çâmak. It means to lean on something for support. We
lean on Him, so He is solid support. The flesh may die, but the soul
is kept:
D1 Psalm 3:5 NET I rested and slept; I awoke, for the LORD
protects me.
D2 John 10:28-30 NIV I give them eternal life, and they shall
never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father,
who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them
out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."
C4 Anxieties are common in this life. Worries about money, health,
relationships, family, etc. We face these things.
D1 It is not a sin to worry. There is no verse that states worry is a
sin.
D2 Worrying does not mean we do NOT trust God. We can trust God
completely and still worry and have cares.
D3 God comforts us in our worries: Psalm 94:19 CSB When I am
filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.
D4 He is the greatest counselor. He does listen and hear our worries,
troubles, fears, sorrows, pains, etc. He is there!!! Psalm 142:2-6
NLT I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my
troubles. 3 When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should
turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. 4 I look for
someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought!
No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. 5 Then I
pray to you, O LORD. I say, "You are my place of refuge. You are
all I really want in life. 6 Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue
me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.
D5 He does not leave us: Nahum 1:7 NLT The LORD is good, a strong
refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.
D6 He wants us to talk to Him: 1 Peter 5:7 NLT Give all your
worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
D7 Messiah, Yeshua, knows; yes, He knows! Isaiah 53:3-5 NLT He was
despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest
grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was
despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he
carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his
troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was
beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
B2 Psalm
23
B3 Luke
12:7
B4 Psalm
118:9
