The Covenant of Peace

The Peace of God... it is an amazing gift that truly does, in those moments when you MOST need it, surpass all understanding... and yet - when you most need it, there it is!


However, I believe that just as we are to live a life of worship to our King... (and not just run to Him in times of trouble - but stick close to Him at all times) I believe we are called to live a life of Peace. Of course - when we are in the midst of battle or are at risk of losing our peace - the Lord comes in like a flood and showers us with His Presence - but even in our day to day, crazy busy lives - we are to live in an atmosphere and mindset of Peace and Love. The good news is just as with Love... (in how we are unable to love at all times on our own, depending on our own capacity to love) the Peace is not our own either! It's His Love and His Peace that He gives to us and allows to flow through us to others.

I believe that wherever we go - we should carry with us the fragrance of God... and what is that fragrance? I think it has huge portions of Love and Peace in the mix! Last Tuesday we talked a lot about Peace and several great scriptures were brought up and many things were imparted. One thing that I kept thinking about but couldn't find in my Bible was a scripture reference that I LOVE! It is actually found in the Amplified version. (I know - you are all shocked?) But it talks about how we need to let Peace be our umpire. Don't you just love that? I love it... an Umpire, according to Websters is defined as: "1: one having authority to decide finally a controversy or question between parties: as a: one appointed to decide between arbitrators who have disagreed b: an impartial third party chosen to arbitrate disputes arising under the terms of a labor agreement 2: an official in a sport who rules on plays 3: a military officer who evaluates maneuvers"

So in letting the Peace of God be our umpire - that means that we allow Him to be the One who has authority to decide for us... He knows what is fair and can look at it (whatever 'it' is) from an objective position... and we come to Him and allow Him to evaluate our maneuvers! So - in all things, we run to Him and ask His opinion and His decision on what action to take or not to take... (or what job to take or not to take... or what house to buy or not to buy... etc!)

We know that He tells us in His Word that He will "direct and guide our feet in a straight line into the way of peace." (Luke 1:79) The key is letting Him!

Here's the thing about our God... He has made us a Covenant of Peace. He says in Isaiah 54:9-10 that "For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, So have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you." That is a great promise, don't you think? The Covenant of Peace... one translation puts it the Covenant of Blessing and they are most often closely related. Oh yes - so here's the thing about our God... He is NOT a Covenant breaker! He doesn't enter into a covenant lightly, and He will not (can not) go back on His Word!

I remember hearing someone teach on this portion of Scripture and he inserted an implied commentary in between verse 10 and the rest of the Chapter... so it sounded like this:

"For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, So have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you."

(So, until I come back for you, this will have to do:)

“ O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
I will make your pinnacles of rubies, Your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake.
“Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD."

Wow?! Nice Covenant!!!

I pray that you will allow the Peace of God to be your umpire - to rule and guide you as you walk into the fullness of His Promises, and His Purposes for you!

Peace be with you!
In Him,
~Karrilee~