He is Pleased
Written by Jonathan Klaassen
"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
- Romans 8:6,8
What steals your peace? Is it the pressure that comes from big responsibilities? Is it physical or emotional pain, fatigue, doubt, guilt, worry, or fear? All of these steal our peace. And what is the world’s answer? The world offers distractions, comforts, pleasures, false promises, and self-help practices. But, as Christians, we know the gospel; so peace isn’t a problem for us, right?
Peace is a problem for me. The root of my lack of peace is believing that God is not pleased with me. Therefore, I am excluded from the promise of Luke 2:14. God alone is righteous and good, but each day I subtly twist the truth to serve my selfish desires. God alone is worthy of my whole-hearted devotion, but I daily turn my eyes from Him and look to worldly sources of peace. God alone can command my living sacrifice and love to my neighbor, but I daily hold back choice pieces for myself.
But God! When we confess the truth of our sin- instead of trying to hide or fix it ourselves- God brings to my mind His promise of peace. He sent His only Son, with whom He IS well pleased. When we set our minds on the Spirit, we know the truth of our identity in Christ the Righteous, and through Him alone God is well pleased with His children! Therefore, His peace He gives to us!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son and Your transforming Spirit that we may truly know life and peace.
