Judges 6:22-24
1. Context v.11-21 Gideon was not brave and was a fearful man. He hid in a winepress to threshing his wheat to avoid the Midianite raiders. However, the Lord told him that He is with him and He is the one who would have the strength to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Gideon did not believe that. He asked for sign in the form of presenting gift to the messenger.
* The presence of the LORD is seen in the empowering of the person. It is not for emotional comfort only
* The receiving of gift or offering a confirmation of the deity
2. v.22 Gideon now did not concerned about the threat from the Midianites, but the potential judgment of seeing the angel of the LORD face-to-face. Isnt this what I need to fear more often? I was afraid of the danger of this world, from disease, from other persons, but how often do I realize my danger of living a sinful life in the present of the holy God?
3. The Lord pardoned Gideon and give him peace and that was not a small thing to Gideon. It could be shown in his building an altar and named it, "The LORD is on friendly terms with me (NET) Gideon’s name for the altar plays on the LORD’s reassuring words to him, “Peace to you.”
I love peace, or nothing bad happening to me. All is well. But, do I treasure the peace from God, the pardon of death because of my sin? Will I want to remember that like Gideon?
4. (Dallas Devo) At the birth of this Child, angels sang to shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). The promise of peace was no longer written on an altar—it was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger...True peace is the presence of Christ.
Jesus promised to leave us peace, not the kind of peace the earth can give. Peace with God is what most important and what the world cannot give.
Isa 9:7
1. The word peace in the title Prince of Peace is repeated in v.7, "and he will bring immeasurable prosperity." And in v.7b, it was mentioned after the description of the vast dominion of this Prince. In other word, the peace that He will bring is related to His dominion. This kind of peace is "on the political and socio-economic sense (NET)."
Reflection: In the Dallas Devo, this world today not only lacking this kind of peace, but it is unattainable in a human level. Other than longing for the Messianic Kingdom to come, what else shall we do??
2. The second group of repeated words are, "David's throne, His kingdom, establishing (setting up) and strengthening (sustaining)." The kind of kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, because it was based on the Davidic covenant which God promised to give him an everlasting kingdom (2 Sam 7:16). Messiah will be the one who starts and sustains it.
Why Messiah was able to do that is by maintaining it with the character of God, that is, justice and fairness. Again this pair of description has some overlapping in meaning. Both related to judgment.
(BKC) He will maintain righteousness (cf. Jer. 23:5), as His rule will conform to God’s holy character and demands.
Reflection: As the world's concept of a superpower as a country with the most cutting-edge weapons, the Biblical view of the strong Messianic kingdom as one conforming to God's holy character and demands. This reflect the different in understanding of Who holds the ultimate authority of this world. If God rules the world, then Whoever rules under His desire will be the strongest and will last.
Even in today's chaotic world our faith seems to not offering much but just hope, the reality is that, God is still the One Who rules the world. What happening now may not be His desire, but definitely allows by God. He knows what He is doing, even I dont. Just trust in Him.
John 14:27
1. Context: Starting in ch 13, Jesus was preparing the disciples for His departure. Now, in ch 14b, the emphasis was in what did Jesus leave for them when He was gone? First, He left us the Holy Spirit Who will be with us forever. Note the repetition of the idea of "with" v.16, e.g. resides with you and in you v17, not abandon v.18, come to you 18, you will see me because I live v.19, you are in me and I am in you v.20, reveal myself to him v.21, take you residence with him (those who obey Jesus' word) v.23.
Jesus takes care of His own, even when He was about to leave them physically. His presence or companionship was not for emotional comfort, but in sharing the same truth. However, this kind of presence is not an abstract idea, it is a real personal presence that we will not feel lonely or being abandoned.
2. The word peace was specified as "my peace" v.27b. It is unique in a sense that one cannot find other like it in the whole world v.27c. And it is not purchased by us, but it is offered and given by Jesus. Once we have it we are commanded not to be distressed or our hearts should not be frightened, or terrified. Nor shall we be lacking in courage or being cowardly.
Am I a coward? Many times. I rely on my own peace. My resources is limited. It runs out quick. I cant face loneliness or death. No way I can fight with them. In this passage, Jesus, the prince of peace, offered me His peace. The King of kings Who will sit on David's throne to rule the whole earth for eternity offered me His peace.
(Dallas Devo) The “Prince of Peace” spoke, saying, “Peace I leave with you” (John 14:27).
Although the fruit of God’s redemptive purposes were fully expressed in Christ,
inward peace can be elusive as we cling to promises not fully explained and yet
to be fully experienced. When Christ returns, we will experience the ultimate
of peace.
Luke 2:14
1. Parallelism between the 1st and 2nd half of this verse: (BECNT) The word pairs glory-peace, heaven-earth, and God-men relate literarily to one another.
While praise is offered in heaven to God, peace is offered to those God pleased on earth.
(BECNT) In summary, the angelic praise contains two basic ideas: (1) the heavens rejoice and praise God for salvation’s outworking and (2) the people to whom God draws near through Jesus will experience the harmony and benefits that God bestows on his own.
2. What is the relationship between these 2 halves of the verse? A salvation plan over thousands of years that can now lift mankind from sin/death displaced His majesty and power. From that same Person, we have no doubt that there is no enemies can compare with Him. He will sure bring us peace. What we need to focus on is to become the person He pleased.
3. Reflection: The indwelling of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Himself should give us peace when we cannot have peace on our own. However, the indwelling also need to be reckon by obedience and faith.
2 Thes 1:7
1. Context
(BKC) 1:3-10 Paul began by thanking God for the spiritual growth the Thessalonian believers had experienced. This led him to encourage them to persevere in their steadfastness.
"The persecution and affliction they were enduring" at the end of v.4 connect with the beginning phrase of v.5, "this is evidence." In other words, Paul explained what was the implications when believers enduring persecution and affliction from v.5 on.
2. The first implication is in v.5. When we endured sufferings for God, we testified that God is just. We are not in His Kingdom without evidence. When Christians suffered and still stands in faith, there is no other reason, that the life of God lives inside of us.
(BKC) But endurance in trials does demonstrate one’s worthiness. A Christian is made worthy by God’s grace, which he receives as a free gift by faith in Jesus Christ. His trials simply expose what is there already and since the character that emerges through the fire of testing is God-given, God receives all the glory
Second implication in v.6: God's justice will be shown when He retributes for us.
Third implication in v.7: God will not just let us suffer forever. He will give us relief in the future.
3. Reflection: For the last implication in v.7, sometimes, I am thinking if the future hope really help us to deal with sufferings now? It sounds so weak and useless.
If the Bible, over and over again to use hope in an way for Christian to deal with sufferings, then by faith, I obey that it is a strong help!
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