We hear people lament all the time the lack of peace in their lives. Christians are hardly immune from it as well; although they ought to be. Look what Paul is teaching here. What we meditate on will determine the extent of the presence of peace and God in our lives! What are we focusing on beloved? Is is true and noble or false and ignoble? Are the things our thought life is centered on impure and unjust? Good report, praiseworthy, and virtuous. Meditate on these things. Because these are the things God wants to show us as well. For every negative thing the world tries to bombard us with, God has something great to show us. For everything impure the world tries to sell us, God has some purity to show us. For all of the injustice the world doles out daily, God wants to show us that He is just. For all the darkness in the world cannot compete with the light of Jesus Christ. All the falseness in the world cannot overcome the truth of God's Word. He wants to show us but what are we focusing on?
Additionally, God wants to show us mighty things. The dictionary defines mighty as "having superior power and strength." You must understand that the things God wants to show us are not just for show! They are to be used. The things He wants to show us have power and strength. Power and strength to overcome the enemy. Power and strength to overcome the world. Power and strength to overcome the flesh. How many Christians do you know who are basically crawling into heaven? Free in Christ but bound horribly by this world? No strength. No power. Listen, the world is a dangerous place. The devil is a real threat. Do not fall for the feel good sugar coated sermons being preached today. The enemy to our souls crouches waiting to attack us. I have watched him devour Christian friends of mine. We see it every day on the Christian news. Another mega church pastor falls from grace. Scandal after scandal as the witness for Christ is damaged. There is power to overcome such things. There is power to combat such things and prevent such things. There is always power that God wants to show us:
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, - 2Corinthians 10: 3-5 (NKJV)
There is that word mighty again! The weapons God has given is are mighty in Him! But we are either disarmed or unarmed. The disarmed Christian allows the world and the enemy to lower his shield. To put down his sword, which is the Word of God. The unarmed Christian never bothers to grow in their Christianity. No Bible reading. No prayer life. Too many Christians are Sunday morning Christians. The problem with that is the devil works seven days per week. The first piece of the armor of God is the belt of truth. The Bible protects us from the lies of the enemy. It has power. It is mighty. But we have to put the belt on and refuse to take it off for anything or anyone. The Roman uniform, which Paul based the armor upon, has the breastplate being held in place by the belt. Thus as long as the belt is properly in place, the breastplate would be secure. Paul refers to the breastplate as our righteousness. Walk with me now...as long as the belt of truth is in place - the breastplate of righteousness is secure. As long as we hold to the truth of the Word of God, our righteousness will be secure. People wonder how these larger than life men of God could fall from grace so definitively? They took off the belt of truth. Once they do that, the breastplate of righteousness falls to the floor. When David saw Bathsheba, he knew what the truth was. He couldn't claim ignorance. He knew the belt of truth said that adultery was wrong and against God's commands. The devil presented it, his flesh wanted it, so he took the belt off. What we choose to wear is always our choice:
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. - Colossians 3: 12-15 (NLT)
There is the peace of God again! What we choose to focus on. What we choose to clothe ourselves in. It is amazing that we can spend so much time deciding what to physically wear today but give little to no time at all to what to clothe ourselves in spiritually. God wants to show us mighty things beloved. Things that will tear down strongholds in our lives. Things that will protect us in this journey. These things are mighty in that they have power and strength.
Jeremiah 33: 3 continues with the simple promise from God - "I will answer you." Simple yet profound. We have access to the Creator of the entire universe beloved! David said that he always saw the Lord at his right hand. God is not some distant detached God. If you feel more distant from God today I guarantee it was you who moved. That's what we do. We drift. Even the terms we use such as "backslide" or "fall away" indicate a gradual progression. This happens more often than not when we either stop seeking God or we do not like the answers we receive. You see, God is sovereign. That means He rules in our lives. That means He gets to make the decisions. Now the good news is we can always trust what God is doing:
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. - Romans 8: 28 (NLT)
