The whistle of the train is part of this early morning before the sun comes up. It is a reassuring sound, a confirmation that schedules are kept and business is going on as planned. Early bird robins sing praises to springtime and a mourning dove joins in. Night is giving way to the dawn and a new day begins in a quiet, gentle sort of way. Peace is a treasure of the early morning before worrying, hurrying, and scurrying from here to there begin. So I make a place in my heart for peace, to keep it throughout the day because negative things will come and do their best to steal the peace away.
Scripture has a lot to say about peace and joy, about how they are gifts from God. They are ours in response to our obedience to and love for Him, our Creator. “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). The Psalmist speaks of “the abundance of peace” in Psalm 37:11.
We crave peace, as individuals, and as a nation. The Lord has told us plainly of the many blessings that are ours if only we obey Him. But we go on our own way, forging our own paths which many times lead us away from the path of peace.
I wish that we all would take time each day to read Deuteronomy 28. Here, the Lord plainly sets before us two ways: His way and the blessings of following Him; and our own willful way and the curses of disobedience. Scripture says that we will experience all the blessings listed here if we obey God. It also warns of disobedience and the end result of turning from God. His way leads to peace and joy; our own way leads to confusion, frustration and destruction.
So this morning, Lord, I choose Your way. You said that choosing to obey You will bring a blessing on everything I do. I believe that blessing includes feeling peace and joy even in the midst of all the wars and threats and terror in the world.
I remember that “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). And then in the words of the Lord Jesus: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
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