God's vision for Glorious Peace
I recently came across a paragraph in Jackie Hill Perry’s book Holier Than Thou. She talks about the subject of holy vision and how we can behold and live in God’s glorious peace:
“One who knows all things and controls all things cannot and will not be troubled by what He has infinite knowledge of and complete sovereignty over. Underneath human anxiety is the reversal of identity in which the finite attempts to be infinite. With our finite knowledge, we want to know everything so as not to be caught off guard by anything. With our finite abilities, we want and try to control everything so we’re not controlled by anything. We fail to do both because it’s impossible to be like God in this way, making the peace of God elusive for those who need it most.
But behold Jesus. He is forever settled, unshaken, an unbothered to the point that He can sleep like a baby while a storm rages war on his resting place. Being the Creator of it and thus Lord over it, He commands the storm to do what He has always had and what He is never hesitant to do, “Peace! Be still! Glory.”
How profound and informative is this short section of written truth. We strive and wrangle with things that seem out of our control and out of our timing. But behold Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-8 AMPC
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
James 1:2-4, 12 AMPC
2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
12 Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.
Q: How did Jackie’s quote and these Scriptures help you see life from God’s perspective?
Q: What can I give to the Lord in prayer today?
Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, we ask that your loved ones, your followers, would lean on You and trust You in all things. Make yourself known in perfect love and deep peace in every heart. We thank You and praise You. Amen.
“One who knows all things and controls all things cannot and will not be troubled by what He has infinite knowledge of and complete sovereignty over. Underneath human anxiety is the reversal of identity in which the finite attempts to be infinite. With our finite knowledge, we want to know everything so as not to be caught off guard by anything. With our finite abilities, we want and try to control everything so we’re not controlled by anything. We fail to do both because it’s impossible to be like God in this way, making the peace of God elusive for those who need it most.
But behold Jesus. He is forever settled, unshaken, an unbothered to the point that He can sleep like a baby while a storm rages war on his resting place. Being the Creator of it and thus Lord over it, He commands the storm to do what He has always had and what He is never hesitant to do, “Peace! Be still! Glory.”
How profound and informative is this short section of written truth. We strive and wrangle with things that seem out of our control and out of our timing. But behold Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-8 AMPC
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
James 1:2-4, 12 AMPC
2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
12 Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.
Q: How did Jackie’s quote and these Scriptures help you see life from God’s perspective?
Q: What can I give to the Lord in prayer today?
Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, we ask that your loved ones, your followers, would lean on You and trust You in all things. Make yourself known in perfect love and deep peace in every heart. We thank You and praise You. Amen.