PEACE IN ACTION
We tend no to put the words Peace and Action together, probably because peace often connotes stillness and quiet rather than activity; rest rather than motion. Yet it's important to consider those verbs-the action words-that may help us to experience peace in the middle of our fast-paced daily lives.
Taking time for quiet moments and deliberate rest can help us practice the presence of God and faithfully follow Him - as did King David. While David was a fighter, a mover, and a shaker, he also had a tremendous grasp of the real peace that comes from time spent in conversation with his Lord.
The PSALMS of David reveal how honest the communication was between this man and his Maker. David understood that God is involved in each detail of our lives and deeply and personally concerned about all aspects of daily living. David fully committed his life into God's hands. You can see his attitude reflected in the following verses:
" O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me"
2" Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off."
3"Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquianted with all my ways."
4"For there is not a word in my tongue, but , lo, O Lord, though knowest it altogether." Ps. 139:1-4
7"Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?" or whither shall I flee from thy presence?"
8" If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold , thou art there."
9" If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;"
10 " Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."
Ps. 139: 7-10
David recognized that God knew his very thoughts and his words before he could even speak them. There is nowhere that is out of reach of God's presence and His upholding, guiding hand.
Another illustration of peace painted in the PSALMS found in the elegant imagery of PSALMS 23. Here David, the former shepherd boy, takes the role of the sheep protected and nurtured by a loving Shepherd. Who can read these words and not feel the assurance which lies beneath them?
" The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 " He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 " He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
4 " Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 " Thou preparest a table before me in anointest my head with oi; my cup runneth over.
6" Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." PSALMS 23:1-6
