I wonder how many small, life affirming moments I missed yesterday because I was busy. I realize I used to do that with my morning Bible reading, I’d skip over the little things looking for some great spiritual revelation.
“We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.” Colossians 1:2 NLT
We read or see things so often that they lose their impact.
This verse is like many others that are the opening salutation in Paul’s writings to each of the churches he was instructing. Often those opening remarks are skipped to get to the heart of his teaching. But this is the heart of his teaching.
Our heavenly Father gives us grace and peace. He wants us to know that right from the beginning.
Grace and Peace.
Those two words are the summary of the Gospel. The Gospel is good news. What better news can we focus on than that of grace and peace.
Grace: unmerited favor. God giving us something wonderful that we are unable to earn. That something is a relationship with Him – being welcomed in His presence no matter the time day or night. Twenty-four hour access to the throne room of God.
“ So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT
Our Father doesn’t want us struggling on our own. His message of “Peace on earth, good will to all men” proclaimed by the angels to the shepherds was His message of grace and peace.
Peace: soul rest. When everything is tumultuous and chaotic, we have the Father’s promise of peace.
Paul and Silas had been beaten and were imprisoned but they had such a sense of peace they were able to sing at midnight. Paul knew God’s promise of peace. Jesus was beaten and hung on a cross but in that moment, He had the peace of mind to say “Father, forgive them – they don’t realize what they are doing”.
This is the kind of peace God has promised us.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT
The Prince of Peace, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, tells us that our peace in every situation is found in Him. The world will have trouble, but He promises peace.
“Now may the God of peace…— 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT
Our Father, the God of peace, will equip us with everything we need, every good thing that is pleasing to Him.
Don’t miss the small things – grace and peace aren’t just words that start every letter like “hello, how are you”. No, they start and end those letters with the same proclamation issued by heaven’s chorus.
Those words are a declaration of independence from worry. They are a mandate from God’s heart to ours!
Don’t miss the message.
PowerFULL!!!
A life filled with grace and peace!