A person who lives in harmony with God and His creation, doesn’t just feel peace, but experiences it completely.
The person who kicks against His Heavenly Father’s will, experiences a wide variety of peace stealing forces.
Broken Record
I’m like a broken record here. But I guess repeating certain things is important, because the Bible does it. Over and over we see the results of obedience and of disobedience.
When I was convicted and convinced that honoring Torah is for me, I went from turmoil to peace. Turmoil is, in fact, what dropped me to my knees.
Of course I haven’t been perfect. Pharisees and Roman priests have tried to codify perfection by building up zillions (according to my last count) of man made rules and regulations in an attempt to perfect the pious ones. Still hasn’t worked.
Give me 613
The average person does not know that the pharisees were loading up the people with their cement mixer of minutiae… Even though the Bible tells me so.
You leave the commandment of
God and hold to the
tradition of men.
Mark 7:8
Then He emphasizes,
But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God) then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.
Mark 7:11-13
We generally don’t think of Pharisees as being particularly peaceful.
We mistakenly attribute this grumpy nature to the fact that they were too busy following Moses’ law.
News alert: To anyone who believes the Law was done away with at the Cross; Jesus was still alive.
The Pharisees clearly were following an accumulation of laws that were not so called “laws of Moses.” They were making stuff up and calling it “oral Torah.” How convenient is that? I’m writing this on the day after Reformation Day. If you remember, Martin Luther (not King) hung up his points which addressed 95 new laws made up by man. He realized that tyrants could just make it up. The church that was called Catholic, was under roman authority. The Pharisees were in authority under roman rule as well. Why do we miss this stuff? That’s why I’m here, I guess.
It is so important to know that our Joy comes from God. He says that His Torah brings Shalom. Peter said to seek Shalom, referencing Psalm 34.
I don’t think it’s an accident that the Psalm relates obedience to peace.
Depart from evil, and do good. seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14
Shalom in adversity
When we are walking in God’s will, we walk in peace, even in the presence of enemies.
Now, who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
I Peter 3:13-14 ESV
Shalom means more than peace, my friend.
The shalom of YHWH is complete. It means wholeness. It includes what we call “wellness.”
This is the kind of peace that passes all understanding. This is the type that is hard to measure, but you’ll know it when you’re there. This shalom is only truly found in Messiah. He is the prince of Shalom.
May He keep you in His perfect peace.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I lift up your Name. I lift up my prayer in the name of Yeshua. Please keep my brothers and sisters in your perfect peace. Please shield us from evil and let us rest in your shalom. Help us walk in your Way and shelter under your tabernacle. You are the wise and loving Father, but you always were. You have always shown us more grace than we deserve. Help us to show grace on our neighbors. Amen.
Torah Is 