Minute for Monday: Gifts - James 1:17

 A short devotion with a good promise to start the week :)

Real Shalom - Isaiah 48:22

Isaiah 48:22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” (NIV)

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for peace is ‘shalom.’ It is a beautiful word and is not limited to the avoidance of conflict, but is all about the total well-being of a person. To be blessed with shalom by God means to be given absolute peace of mind, the health of body, strength for the spirit, and tranquility for the soul. It means to be completely free of anything that will harm you and be filled with everything that will fortify you. It’s wonderful blessing and is something that God offers repeatedly throughout the stories and events in the Bible.

To be without shalom means the exact opposite. Your mind is restless and your soul is agitated; your body is uncomfortable and your spirit is exhausted. You use up all of your energy and are easily angered; you take offense quickly and destroy relationships abruptly. The prophet Isaiah even suggests that this is the hallmark of the wicked – they have no peace, no rest, and clearly, no shalom.

In the New Testament, Jesus continually promises peace to His followers, especially in times of crisis or trouble. He is telling them that even when things look bad, God’s peace can still be experienced which will enable them to conquer their fears, endure any suffering, and overcome any problems. This is why He also asks us to trust Him, so that we may receive this wonderful blessing.

Perhaps you are currently going through a hard time or maybe you’re worried about the future. It could be that you have unresolved issues or present troubles. Whatever the case, Jesus can give you the assurance of His shalom to help you regain your confidence, your well-being, and your strength. Just ask Him now in prayer and His peace, His shalom will come to you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about me and all of the things that I face right now. In the midst of my fears and worries, be my strength and grant me Your peace. In Your Holy Name, I humbly ask. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome😊

Today’s image is John’s drawing of a Celtic Peace Cross. If you would like to view a larger version, click here: Peace.

Encouraging Devotion - Faithful Promises - Isaiah 12:2

Isaiah 12:2      Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

            We all go through fearful and unsettling times. Sometimes, those moments occur when we’re worried about our families or friends; at other times, we may be concerned about our careers or work projects; there may also be times when our health declines or something accidental occurs in our lives. Whatever the circumstances, we feel frail and vulnerable, unprotected and absolutely human.

            When we are fearful, it helps us to understand that God is always faithful. His words and promises from the past become relevant and meaningful to us, especially when we read them in times of trouble or crisis. God’s Spirit reaches to us from the pages of the Holy Scriptures and across the centuries to let us know that He is with us, standing beside us, or even carrying us through painful moments and worrying times. Grace and love are the great gifts He bestows upon us; compassion and comfort are blessings that will sustain us, enabling us to endure and overcome whatever assails us.

            Today’s verse from Isaiah 12 is a beautiful promise that can help us get through our present difficulties and personal problems. As Christians, we receive these words through the blessings of our Savior Jesus Christ, who forgives our sins, guides us through life, and restores us to God’s everlasting favor. Our faith is focused on Him, because in Him we have everything that we will ever need in this life and the next.

Questions for personal reflection

What presently troubles or worries me? How can God’s promise through Isaiah help me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of our souls and the Light of our lives. In You and through You, we experience God’s grace, love, and compassion. Thank You for allowing us to come to You with our prayers and problems. Thank You for being with us every day. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to make comments or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s 2016 drawings for Holy Week. It’s called ‘The Beginning.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Beginning.