PEACE!!!

Week 4, Day 4 Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Isaiah 53:5  But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace . . .

The New Testament talks about two types of peace ... both can be ours ONLY because Jesus faced God's wrath for our sins when he died upon the cross. First, there is the peace WITH God. In Romans 5:1 we read, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."  Our sin makes us enemies of God. Through Christ's sacrifice on our behalf, our sin is paid for. With the cause of hostility gone, we can be reconciled to God. Our war with God has been replaced with peace! Secondly, the New Testament talks about a peace OF God. In Philippians 4: 7 we are told that once we take everything to God in prayer that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus." We do not need to be consumed by worry or paralyzed by fear. In the midst of the turmoil around us ... we can be at peace.

Wow! Because Christ was crushed ... we can enjoy peace!  Praise Jesus that he was willing to go through the judgment and devastation of hell that we might enjoy both peace with God and the peace of God!

Thanks for stopping by,
pj