Afterwords -- panic or peace
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3)
December 9, 2023
Dear friends,
Some of you may remember The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and within that story, the ever-helpful Encyclopedia Galactica. On its cover, in large bold letters were these words: "DON'T PANIC!" It always seemed to have the necessary information to navigate the galaxy.
In today's world, I think it is easy to panic. Just run through your news feed and you will find enough troubling information about the economy, politics, crime, health, our colleges, our cities, our nation, and the world at large. The very pace of progress itself can produce uncertainty and turmoil in us. Owen Barfield once wrote, “When the velocity of progress increases beyond a certain point, it becomes indistinguishable from crisis.”
Yet, we are NOT to panic. In his teaching on the end times Jesus said, "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains." (Matthew 24:6-8) That is, no matter what is happening, don't panic! "See that you are not alarmed..."
I'm currently reading the book of Isaiah and taking note of God's words to the people of Judah as they become aware of the Assyrian army approaching Israel in the late 8th century BC. This army would destroy Samaria and lay waste to much of Judea. In Jerusalem there was a strong impulse toward panic (or in some cases, toward partying, as if tomorrow didn't matter). The leaders of Jerusalem sought to form an alliance with Egypt, and to build up their defenses and trust their military. But what they needed to do was to stop the hysteria and turn to the Lord in wholehearted trust. Assyria really wasn't the issue, the people needed to deal with God!
So, how were they to manifest their faith during that tumultuous time? Consider the following verses:
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3)
"...therefore thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'" (Isaiah 28:16)
"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.'" (Isaiah 30:15)
Notice the words: perfect peace; a mind stayed upon the Lord; a sure foundation; not being in haste; returning and rest; quietness and trust. Compare this with Paul's words to the Philippians, written while he was in chains: "...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
God has sent his Son into this dark, dark world. Christ is the tested, precious, and sure foundation of God's eternal Kingdom. We who believe have no reason to be in a panic, to act hastily, or to yield to fear. The rise and fall of cities and empires -- along with economies and politicians and wars and diseases and technology -- will not thwart God's eternal plan for consummating all things in the glory of God's Son. Though our Lord Jesus came into this world as a baby (Isa 7:14; 9:6), born in a stable, yet it is he who will conquer the nations and reign forever in righteousness.
When we are hasty or rash, we then say and do careless things, which do not help ourselves, or bless others, or bring honor to God. Hurriedness is a hectic lifestyle that does not fully consider God, his will, and his ways. It is characteristic of our age, as well as past ages. Herman Wouk described this as, “When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.”
However, because we are part of a much larger, more secure, more glorious kingdom, we (of all people) ought to be calm, quiet, thoughtful. Our words and actions then can come from a heart composed before the Lord. We can have peace rather than panic.
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READING AND LISTENING
-- "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8b) Here's Alistair Begg on "Christmas in Genesis."
-- "From the Word came a worded world and word-giving creatures. Through the Word, also, comes a new world in which we shepherd our words to commune with persons (both divine and human). This is what we’ll be doing for all of eternity. That’s why language is everything." (Pierce Taylor Hibbs)
-- You can be a blessing to the poor; check out Samaritan's Purse Christmas catalog.
-- Here's an Advent prayer guide for the persecuted church (PDF).
-- This "little drummer boy" has some serious drums!
FINAL QUOTE.
"Stayed upon Jehovah / Hearts are fully blest,
Finding as he promised, / Perfect peace and rest."
(Frances Ridley Havergal)
That's it for this week!
Sandy
Photo above is Stroubles Creek, taken this year on my Pixel 5. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
