Listening to the Lord helps bring peace
by Pastor Steve Liersch
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I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants (Psalm 85:8).
Read Psalm 85:8–13
It’s the end of another week. Whether you’ve spent it at work, home, school, on holidays, travelling or just relaxing, there’s nothing quite like a moment to stop and reflect on some recent days and events, to ponder what’s happened.
As you do, did you notice anything new or encouraging about who journeyed with you? Did you experience the love of your spouse or best friend in some special way? Did you stop to smell the roses? (Although there are not a lot around this time of year!) Importantly, did you identify something God did that reminded you that you didn’t travel the week on your own after all?
As God’s special child through faith in Jesus, you were never alone – not even for a second at any point during the week. Jesus’ words of reassurance from Matthew 28:20, ‘And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age’, were once again fulfilled. Reflect on that for a moment. The Prince of Peace came near, keeping watch over your body, mind and soul.
Often, it’s not until we pause from the busyness of life that we notice the unspoken blessings of things that are always there. God is there, and he invites us constantly through the gentle reminders of his Spirit, nudging us to listen to his promises and be comforted and given a peace the world can’t give – or take away – no matter what we might be going through.
The writer of this psalm had it in mind to do something most essential – to ‘listen to what God the Lord says’. And when he says, ‘You are loved’, ‘You are forgiven in Christ’, ‘You are never alone’, ‘I will carry your burdens’, and ‘I will be your refuge and strength’, he means it. Let the peace and comfort of his promises be yours again now.
Reflect on some of the promises God offers you, and thank him for the peace and strength you draw from them.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your many promises found in your word. By your Holy Spirit, reassure me once again of the peace, strength and comfort you bless me with daily because I am your child. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Pastor Steve and his wife Angelyn are virtually empty nesters living in the beautiful southern Perth coastal suburbs near Warnbro Sound beach. He likes gardening, watching sports, working on home projects and spending time with his wife and children. He is constantly seeking ways to help connect people to Jesus in a meaningful way.
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