AUGUST 25
LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE
Colossians 3:15-16
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. (WEB)
I like how today's Scripture reading begins: 'Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.' Then it continues, 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.' When I read this, it seems like our part in the relationship is to yield to what God wants to do in our lives— to 'let' Him do what He desires.
Many of us struggle to stop striving, believing we are doing good works for God, when in fact we should let Him do the good works through us. In Philippians 2:13, we see that it is God who works in us to will and to do His good pleasure. He is active in us, and our role is to surrender to what He is already doing.
In John 15, Jesus describes Himself as the vine and us as the branches. Without the life from the vine, the branch has no life of its own. Jesus states, "Apart from me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Today, I pray that we all let go of our efforts and self-initiative and immerse ourselves in the work that God is already doing within us. May we embrace the gift of surrender so that we can submit to the constantly pursuing and active presence of God in us and around us.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. (WEB)
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. (WEB)
I like how today's Scripture reading begins: 'Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.' Then it continues, 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.' When I read this, it seems like our part in the relationship is to yield to what God wants to do in our lives— to 'let' Him do what He desires.
Many of us struggle to stop striving, believing we are doing good works for God, when in fact we should let Him do the good works through us. In Philippians 2:13, we see that it is God who works in us to will and to do His good pleasure. He is active in us, and our role is to surrender to what He is already doing.
In John 15, Jesus describes Himself as the vine and us as the branches. Without the life from the vine, the branch has no life of its own. Jesus states, "Apart from me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Today, I pray that we all let go of our efforts and self-initiative and immerse ourselves in the work that God is already doing within us. May we embrace the gift of surrender so that we can submit to the constantly pursuing and active presence of God in us and around us.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. (WEB)