Worry. It destroys your peace, and saps energy. Mostly, we worry about things we can’t change anyway. What can help us reclaim a quiet mind and freedom to live well?
Let peace rest upon your soul. God is here- day and night are His to Rule.
Remember that God is Sovereign. He is the Almighty, the Eternal, the Creator and Saviour. Best of all, He cares for us. The Old Testament priest Aaron was given these words to repeat regularly in worship:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace”
(Numbers 6:24 – 26).
In Jewish history, a spoken blessing is considered a real gift. Aaron stood before the people, raising his hands and speaking the blessing over them, their heads bowed in an act of humble receiving. God was speaking these realities into his people, pushing his love into their hearts. This blessing is a divine hug.
God’s face turned toward and shining on his people is a Divine smile, not a face of thunder. The “peace” the blessing speaks of is the Hebrew word “shalom”. It’s not solely an inner peace; it is physical wholeness and complete well-being.
God wants his people to continually stand in the warmth of his love and delight, and for his poured-out love and graciousness to bring them peace and wholeness. He wants his love to be their security and their identity. Each time the blessing is spoken, it is a proclamation from God’s heart: “I love you. You are mine. And I am taking care of you.”
Just like the church building in the photo: whether we realise it at the time or not, there are timeless witnesses to the provident presence of God. For uncounted years, people have passed near this old church nestling in the coastal hillsides of Norway. It stands to say boldly: “God is here.” So then… for today, tomorrow, forever…
Let peace rest upon your soul. God is here- day and night are His to Rule.
The Reflectionary 