Heavenly Peace

"Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace......silent night...."

The Christmas carol, "Silent Night" evokes visions of peace in my mind.  Heavenly peace.  The way it is played by musicians and sung by singers...whether a soloist or a church choir, is always done in such a quiet, peaceful tone. It just really portrays a peacefulness that I long for.  I think most people in today's world long for that peace.  I also think people have longed for that peace from the beginning of time.  And the only way we truly can experience "heavenly peace" is by experiencing the One who reigns in Heaven and is Peace.

My morning devotions were early today.  I was up at 5:30 to get the coffee brewing and make the bed......after laying my clothes out for the work day, and making sure my teenager knew she could use the bathroom as soon as her dad was done in the shower, I grabbed my Bible and steaming mug of coffee and sat to get some Word into my mind and spirit.  I finished up the book of II Timothy that I had been working on and then I flipped to some verses in Isaiah that I really enjoy meditating on.  Here is a portion of Isaiah 26 that jumped out at me today....and yes.....my thoughts turned toward the topic of peace.  So I started prayer journaling to see where God was leading me.....

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.......Oh Lord, we have waited for You;  the desire of our soul is for Your Name and for the remembrance of You.  With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early...."  Isaiah 26:3 & 4; 8b & 9a

I know I've written about the topic of peace before. Click here for one.(October 2007)  But the Lord showed me some ways to look at His Peace and how to attain it, in a newer way this morning.  Or at least in ways that I hadn't thought on before.

Here are some key points the Lord showed me this morning through my meditation time:

• FOCUS on His Word.  Really get into the Bible and totally concentrate/meditate/prayerfully consider what Scripture is saying.  I don't focus enough on His Word but when I do, a sense of calm/peace pervades my soul and my mind.  This goes along with the words in verse 3 about our minds staying on God. God is found in the Word:  the Bible.  His Words to us.
• FOCUS on His Will. Ask yourself "What is His Will for me?  What do I need to do to gain peace?"  Is it to repair a broken friendship? is it to forgive a spouse of a grievous error?  Is it to lay aside bitterness, anger, shame, and fear?  It might be all of those things and more....whatever situations you are facing, make sure you are in His Will.
• FOCUS on Worship.  Worship Jesus!!  This is the perfect month to begin.  Spend time meditating on Scriptures..this is a form of worship.  Tithe.  This is a form of worship.  Do unto others as you would have others do unto you....by doing so, it is a form of worship.  Sing hymns and spiritual songs unto Him.....a form of worship. If you don't like to sing or don't have a musical instrument in the house, play worship cd's or praise music.  Listen to your favorite Christian vocalist/group and sing along!  Give Jesus your heart, soul, mind, and body.  This is an act of worship.  And with it, comes great peace. 
• FOCUS on Jesus as a Friend.  This is a busy month.  It is sometimes hard to connect with friends while in the midst of Christmas preparations.  Perhaps you had a friend who is now estranged from you and it is leaving you uneasy, sad, and unsure.  Cling to Jesus!  He will right the wrongs....He comes alongside of us, holds our hands, and leads the way when it seems dreary.  He will listen, understand, and always be there.  
• FOCUS on faith.  Increase your faith by engaging in the above practices and in doing so, you are increasing your trust in Him.....regain that child-like wonder of His mercy, grace, and salvation.  

FOCUS, a FRIEND, FAITH......the peace that we cannot begin to comprehend will pervade your heart and soul.  You will experience a sense of calm like that silent night so long ago when the Virgin mother looked down upon the Son of God, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace.

Peace.  "All is calm, all is bright....sleep in heavenly peace....."