LET GOD’S PEACE REIGN AND BE THANKFUL
Let the peaceG1515 of Christ rule in your hearts,
for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach
and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:15-17
God is sovereign, is completely in charge, and when we surrender our all to Him, we will have the peace and confidence to live in harmonious community with our brothers and sisters in Christ. There will be peace in the “familyship” as we each have the peace of submission and obedience to the Lord ruling in our individual hearts and lives. The word of God is our instruction manual, our life-coach, the source of continuity in living for Jesus. As we fully immerse ourselves, soaking in the Scripture, we will not only have peace ourselves but will be able to encourage others to live and dwell in peace by abiding in the word. As the word begins to seep into and overflow our being, the Lord will infuse us with the power to accomplish all He has called us to do in the grace of and to the glory of God. When we are steeped in the peace of God, all that we desire is to be an overflowing reservoir of gratitude and thanksgiving.
When the teabag is sitting in the hot water, it is “steeping.” The longer is steeps, the stronger the flavor of the tea. We need to be steeped in God’s word in order to maintain peace in our own lives and with others. In order to be enabled to share God’s peace with others, we need to “sit in” the water of His Word, until we are saturated with it. Are you steeping in the Bible each day, not just reading a passage to check off your daily Bible reading quota, but truly soaking it in until you are “flavored” with His peace?
Father, may our hearts burst out in songs of praise and thanksgiving as we realize the peace that passes all understanding has been bountifully accredited to our accounts because Jesus paid the price of our sin on the cross and was raised from the dead. Thank You, Lord, that Your peace permeates our lives in such a way that we need not live in fear, and we can share peace with others.
Worship along with the Classic Hymns Mass Choir singing Leonard Smith’s song “Our God Reigns”: