By Leo Boucher. Used with permission; all rights reserved.
My dad has entitled this painting, “Finding Peace with Jesus through Prayer.” We so often find peace when we’re out in nature, don’t we. There’s something about being able to exhale in God’s creation that helps take us out of ourselves and our concerns as we look up to God and ponder the needs of others.
We might feel as though we’re in a tough time – the deciduous tree might be in hibernation, as in this picture. But God will meet us through his Son and bring color into our lives. He will spring forth with new life after the time of being fallow.
Know that God is on your side, whether you’re in a time of celebration and rejoicing or you are slogging ahead, one step after the other. If you can, dedicate some moments to finding Jesus through prayer.
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. They cried for help, but there was no-one to save them—to the Lord, but he did not answer. I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them like mud in the streets. You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me, foreigners cower before me; as soon as they hear of me, they obey me. They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds. (Psalm 18:37–45, NIV)
When I first decided to write Bible reading notes for Psalm 18, I thought what a wonderful Psalm in which to delve. But I didn’t want to write on the above verses. They are just so graphic: destroying of foes; beating as dust; trampling in the mud. Not exactly refreshing morning reading.
I looked to the commentaries for some help, but they seemed to skip over this section. But in Gleason L. Archer’s Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties I gained some insight. He makes a compelling argument for the right to self-defense by law-abiding citizens. As he says, “How could God be called ‘good’ if He forbade His people to protect their wives from ravishment and strangulation … or to resist invaders who have come to pick up their children and dash out their brains against the wall?” (p. 219) More graphic images, I know. But we live in a fallen world that often doesn’t follow God’s rule, so we need to face up to these painful realities.
You may completely disagree with Archer’s theory, or you may embrace it as your own. Whatever position we hold, we can affirm that the Lord yearns for shalom – his holistic peace – in all its fullness, whether in our nations, communities, or families.
Prayer: Lord, we pray for the war-torn areas of the world and the many victims of fighting: the women who are raped; the men who are killed; the children who are maimed and orphaned. Bring peace, we pray.
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God. (Psalm 18:19–21 NIV)
Near the Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. A spacious place.
I don’t think I’m claustrophobic, but I can readily imagine David’s relief when the living Lord led him from his cramped hiding place in the rocks and crags out to a spacious place. I love being out in the wide world of creation, and especially by the side of an ocean or a lake. The pounding surf provides a rich backdrop to the vast waters that stretch as far as the eye can see. Or the placid glass-like surface of the lake emulates peace. As I gaze out, I find deep rest and contentment.
Maybe that oceanside or lakeside view is one you behold regularly, but for me it is more of a rare treat. I have to seek the Lord’s spacious place in the stuff of daily life, such as in my light and sunny study in our Victorian vicarage, the freedom I feel after meeting a deadline, or my joy at glimpsing a bubble floating up outside my window, courtesy of our kids playing below.
And of course the most spacious place is in knowing the love and affirmation of our heavenly Father. Taking some images from Scripture, we are his beautiful one (Song of Songs 2:13), a lily among thorns (Song of Songs 2:2), and the apple of his eye (Psalm 17:8). Or as Moses said in blessing the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).
Whatever our circumstances, God will take us to a spacious place. As we look to him, we can leave behind the need to acquire more stuff, more deadlines or deals, or more friends on Facebook. He will comfort us in our grief and bind up our wounds. He reaches out through Jesus and says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Prayer: Father, I give you my fears, desires and dreams. Take me to your spacious place, that I might be set free to love and serve you.
