And the shalom [peace] of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua [Jesus the Christ]. Philippians 4:7, TLV

Impossible Peace.        Have you ever felt it? You shouldn’t feel calm or clearheaded, but you are. There is grief or chaos or hopelessness or fear around you, but it is like you’re in a bubble and it can’t touch you. Sigh. I wish we could live in that bubble all the time. Because that would sure make life easier, right?

Easier, yes, but what do we learn? How do we walk in faith?

Nearly 30 years ago, my mother and I sat on her bed. Her Bible laid in her lap. We looked at each other, tears crowding our eyes, waiting to release. It had been a long day at the funeral home and the viewing. Tomorrow we would do the impossible — bury my father. Dad died suddenly at 65. We were still in shock, yet there was something else going on.

We prayed for that peace that surpassed our understand as we kept our minds on Jesus. That was all we could think to do. There was no way to prepare for whatever emotions would bombard us the next day. And then there were all the people — all at once. People beside themselves with grief. So many loved Daddy.

The day was pretty much a blur of constant hugs and sympathies. At some point, mom and I looked at each other and smiled. Yes, that shalom — that impossible peace that surpassed all understanding was there. We held babies, comforted others, and shared our assurance that we would be reunited in heaven. That my dad was in the arms of his Savior.

At one point, one of my cousins questioned as to what drugs mom and I were on. I laughed. There was no doubt we were not generating this bubble of peace. And there was no doubt that eventually, in private, away from the crowds, we would grieve deeply for a long time. And we did. But, when we really needed that bubble, it was there.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have shalom. In the world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!” John 16:33, TLV

Yes, in this world we will have tribulations. And yes, our Messiah has overcome the world! But there are times of His choosing that He gives us that bubble. I have experienced these bubbles at least two other times. Ultimately, I want my life to be the testimony of His shalom in or out of that sacred bubble. How about you?

Think More About It

Have you experienced the impossible sacred bubble of peace? Can you share with us? Always love your thoughts, comments, and questions.

Until tomorrow, may we experience that impossible shalom and reside in peace that comes from our minds on Yeshua.

Praying for Israel

A song: a psalm of Asaph.
God, do not keep silent.
Do not hold Your peace, O God.
Do not be still.
For look, Your enemies make an uproar.
Those who hate You lift up their head.
They make a shrewd plot against Your people,
conspiring against Your treasured ones.
“Come,” they say, “let’s wipe them out as a nation!
Let Israel’s name be remembered no more!”
For with one mind they plot together.
Against You do they make a covenant.
The tents of Edom [south of Judea and the Dead Sea, descendants of Esau] and the Ishmaelites [incorporates various Arab nations today, descendants of Ishmael, Isaac’s half-brother]
Moab [southern Jordan] and the Hagrites [some believe this is modern-day Syria],
Gebal [located what is now known as Lebanon], Ammon [believed to be descendants of Lot’s younger son by an incestual relationship with his younger daughter] and Amalek [were a nomadic tribe descendants of Esau],
Philistia [includes what today is known as Gaza] with the inhabitants of Tyre [located in modern day southern Lebanon],
even Assyria [located in modern day Iraq] has joined them,
becoming a strong arm for Lot’s sons. Psalm 83:1-9[1-8], TLV

Yes, this is a long prompt. I found it interesting that today’s Israel has some of the same enemies that were dealt with thousands of years ago. What is striking is the line: “Come,” they say, “let’s wipe them out as a nation! Let Israel’s name be remembered no more!”

I guess while praying this I realized that there is indeed nothing new under the sun. Evil resides in the hearts of men as much today as back then. The encouraging fact? These nations and others have sought to destroy the Jewish people, but God has preserved them. May this continue. Amen? God bless you.