In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 ESV
We live in troubling times, unsettling days.
Uncertainties surround us, even as we continue to enjoy the comfort of our homes. Food fills our refrigerators, pantries, and our tables at mealtimes—our waistlines are proof that most of us don’t go to bed hungry.
We fall asleep each night with a fair amount of certainty that we won’t be awakened by bomb sirens or screaming missiles tearing through our roofs. Nor do we consider the possibility of soldiers crashing through our front doors in the middle of a dream.
Our lives proceed from day to day. Children go to school. And people head to their places of employment day after day. Grocery stores carry most, if not all, of our favorite treats, and entertainment venues of all sorts continue to flourish.
Church doors remain open and without assault (for the most part). Crowds overflow in some sanctuaries, but many more have growing numbers of empty seats.
As we see the harsh realities unfolding in the rest of the world, we are beginning to glimpse what could become our reality if we continue down the destructive path we embarked upon decades ago.
It is a path that stresses self-focused individual rights, desires, and pleasures over the good and well-being of our fellow citizens.
It is a path that insists there are no absolutes, no rights, and no wrongs. There is no one truth. Truth is defined by the individual, for the individual.
It is a path that demands total acceptance and approval of every person’s truth, as well as their definition of right and wrong. Nonacceptance and disapproval are forbidden. Disagreement is dismissed as hate speech and intolerance. Logic and debate are no longer welcome or considered valid.
It’s a path where individuals demand much but are willing to do only the bare minimum, and often not even that. Forgiveness and restoration are signs of weakness and a betrayal of self-interest.
It is a path that does not welcome God or His children.
It is a path that should be repugnant to God’s people, because it is to God.
Is it any wonder that we are feeling unsettled?
Especially, dear believer, if you have joined the mob walking down that path. That path offers no peace to anyone, especially not to the believer.
“Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. …But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For You bless the righteous, O LORD; You cover him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:8, 11-12
Much like today, it was a troubling time for the church in Corinth. The people were unsettled by leaders trying to exert power and pressure to build themselves up and fatten their money bags.
The teachers were pushing a blend of truth with untruth that was destroying the peace of the individual and the harmony of the congregation. Even immorality and idol worship had crept into the church. Self-interest and self-promotion were creating division, confusion, and mistreatment of the church’s members.
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians strongly addressed the ungodly attitudes and practices that had begun to take root in the Church. Many repented after Paul’s first letter, but a year later, many of the same issues remained, along with a major initiative by the ungodly leaders to defame Paul and disregard his instructions.
The Apostle Paul wrote a second letter, “Don’t join forces with unbelievers. How can people of righteousness and truth be in agreement with those who reject truth and embrace lawlessness?” (2 Cor. 6:14-15)
Paul knew it was a troubling and unsettling time for the believers.
He goes on to say, “You are the temple of God, how can you be in agreement with those that worship the idols of the world? Get off the path. Step away from the mob. You belong to God, He is your Father.” (2 Cor 6:16-17)
Paul reminded the believers of their identity in Christ Jesus, “You are God’s children.”
“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” 2 Cor 6:18 NKJV
The truth is that as long as we live in this broken world, there will be times that are greatly troubling and unsettling. There will be times when it is only mildly troubling and a trifle unsettling, but it will still be troubling and unsettling. That is the nature of this world.
The world cannot offer Christians, or anyone else, the peace of heart and mind that Jesus offers.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” John 14:1 ESV
When believers step away from the mob-followed path and begin to live in the fullness of their identity in Christ, when they demonstrate peace-filled lives and settled spirits, walking in faith and confidence in God, others on the path will see.
Others may step away from the path to destruction to learn what it is that allows you to have peace in such an unsettled time. Your life can be the megaphone God uses to demonstrate the peace, joy, contentment, and steadfastness He gives His children when the rest of the world seems to be coming undone.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)