Times of Refreshing

The Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. Or, as it is written in the NASB, ‘continually grant you peace in every circumstance.’ But the Amplified version brings out the full import of this promise. 'May the Lord of Peace grant you His peace at all times and in all ways, i.e. under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes!'

He is the Lord of peace, and elsewhere in the Word, the God of peace, Prince of peace, and even, King of peace. He grants peace as an act of grace. Grace and peace come from the Lord Jesus Christ. How significant is the salutation of Paul in all his letters. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Always – in all times. And in all conditions – even in the worst situation you can enjoy His calm unruffled peace. Did not Peter enjoy that peace in prison, though chained to two soldiers? [Acts 12]. What about the Christian martyrs who went calmly and boldly to their deaths in the flames?

What is this peace? It is not just peace [or reconciliation] with god. It is the peace of God. The peace of God that passes all understanding, the peace that guards or garrisons our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. God’s peace as a garrison! This is for real! A felt peace! My peace I give unto you, Jn 14.27. Not the world’s fragile peace, but perfect peace, Isa 26.3. I believe that we can have this unshaken peace, peace like a river {Isa 66.12], ruling in our hearts [Col 3.15], a multiplied peace [2 Pet 1.2] – great peace! [Ps 119.165].

The Lord Jesus Christ ruling in our hearts is our Peace [Eph 2.14]; in Him, we have peace [John 16.33]. The Amplified Bible expands 2 Pet 1.2 as follows: ‘Freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts/dilemmas.’ Christ is ruling in our hearts; His kingdom is being experienced in a spiritual way [See Rom 14.17]; it is righteous and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. There is a profound undisturbedness of spirit found in God Himself. Like Him, we are ‘far above all’.

I believe the key word is ‘peace’ because it is repeated twice in this promise. The God of peace will crush Satan under our feet. If only we will learn to abide in Him and obey Him in all things. He truly is our Lord.

Paul says, Flee idolatry, 1 Cor 10.14. He goes on to say that sacrifices offered to idols are sacrifices offered to demons, 1 Cor 10.20. He says further that we cannot partake in the Lord's Table and in the table of demons. John also warns us, saying, Little children, guard yourselves from idols, 1 John 5.21. There are also serious warnings by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in the book of Revelation about eating food sacrificed to idols, Rev 2.14 and 2.20.

Idolatry is a very serious matter. At Bethel, in Genesis 35, we see how Jacob's family buried their idols and ear-rings [charms] under the oak tree in Shechem. We saw how the power of God was released on their behalf, for the terror of God fell upon their enemies. Idolatry is a kind of bondage [Gal 4.8; Col 2.8], and we have to be released from that bondage. We have to be redeemed from vain customs and traditions [1 Pet 1.18]. Idolatry brings a curse [Deut 7.26; 27.15], prevents us from entering the kingdom of God [1 Cor 6.9] and destines us for the lake of fire [Rev 21.8].

Yet despite all the warnings of Moses [in Deuteronomy], and all the warnings of the prophets, we find a strong tendency among God's people [Israel] to worship idols. The sacred place, Bethel, became the site of the golden calf set up by Jeroboam. It was because of this idolatry [worship of the golden calf, worship of Baal] that Israel went into captivity.

During the reign of Josiah, the idolatrous altar and high place at Bethel was destroyed [2 Kings 23.15] Subsequently they celebrated the Passover, and it is written that such a glorious Passover was not observed since the days of the Judges. No king in Judah or Israel had observed such a wonderful Passover. Don't we see the connection? If the Passover speaks of Christ and His great [finished] work on the Cross, then surely our understanding and appreciation of Christ is hindered by our 'idolatry' - by the idols that lurk in our hearts. Whatever may be this idolatry - whether physical or spiritual - it is a great barrier to understanding the merits of the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Idolatry brings blindness. The Spirit is grieved. We are unable to experience the loving Presence of the Lord. This idolatry may be in the form of images [pictures of Christ]; in passions and obsessions [love of fashions, sports, hero-worship, hobbies and pastimes]; in celebrating so-called Christian festivals of Lent, Easter and Christmas - which are actually heathen customs; in observing auspicious days, holding to popular superstitions, and following the ways of the world.

Spiritual idolatry [the obsessions in our heart] is a great barrier to knowing Christ. We fall into deception; we become blind and deaf; and our heart becomes hardened to the truth of God's word. We may read without being spoken to; we may apprehend [only mentally], without being enlightened in our heart.

What is the reason for this idolatry? It is an unwillingness to accept the work of the cross in our lives. Unless there is an inward cross, we cannot cannot experience open heaven, we cannot comprehend Christ, we cannot worship in spirit and truth.

You'd like to hear this! I was in Canada, in Montreal. I wanted to go to church. Quebec is a Roman Catholic province. Most Canadians in this region don't go to church. I was not happy with the biggest evangelical church in Montreal; it was too smug and superficial.

What to do? I was a stranger in Canada. The nearest assembly was in Ottawa, two hours away. And there was another in Toronto, 500-600 kms away, where a pastor from Lansing, Michigan was visiting! There was a burden in my heart. I must go to church on Sunday!

Just a burden! Just a longing! For fellowship, for worship! The Lord can do wonders. He provided me with Sri Lankan friends [I had never met them before! It is just that we loved Christ! We went to different churches, but we had one thing in common: we loved Christ!]

They took me by road in their car, all the way, with a spicy Sri Lankan lunch in the bargain! En route we witnessed to people by giving out tracts! And so I landed at Toronto,Friday night, in a house where I had never been before! [But my friends, Indians, were friends in Christ!]

The next day my Lansing friends [whom I had never seen before! but they loved the Lord!] arrived and took me to Niagara Falls. The Falls are bigger on the Canadian side! [And we witnessed to people! and had a great time!]

Sunday, worship at Missisauga, a splendid dinner, [I almost missed the train!] and I came back to Montreal Monday morning! What a whirlwind trip! What a Lord! [Psalm 136.4]