Peace

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. -Romans 5:1

The Greek word eiréné is translated here as peace. It is similar to shalom, it's Jewish counterpart. Both words carry with them a sense of completeness and soundness, These words tell us that peace is so much more than the absence of hostilities and war. In a very real sense wars result when one does not experience completeness in their soul.

When we look at peace in this fashion we begin to understand that having peace with God is not about the cessation of hostilities but about being complete in Him. When we are spiritually born we become a complete human being. We are whole in a way that we have never been before. Faith in God results in a new life of spiritual completeness.

Lord, I am forever grateful for the cross. That you have forgiven me, cleansed me and made me complete.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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Know

Now this is eternal life--that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. -John 17:3 NET Bible

A friend once wrote: "The point of the bible is not to know the bible. The point of the bible is to know God." I love that statement because it tells us that knowing about God is simply not enough. Salvation has always been about the heart and not the head. Yet so much of religious life seems to be focused on knowing the bible and not knowing God.

Now please do not misunderstand what I am saying. Knowing what the bible says is so important. Yet knowing about a book is not the same as knowing the author of it. One can know what a teacher is teaching yet miss the heart of their instruction. So it is with the Lord. Eternal life begins this side of heaven. It is about actually knowing Jesus Christ now.

Lord, you are not an unknowable force. We are thankful that you want to have a personal relationship with us.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.

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Serve

Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” -Luke 4:8

Much has always been made of men who serve the Lord in robed attire. In some religious circles there is no greater honor than to enter religious service. In my own life, I felt a bit of pride when I became a pastor. Yet in this verse, Jesus makes no distinction between those who serve in a religious profession and those serving in secular ones.

In truth words like worship and service are more descriptive of a lifestyle rather than a profession. When a Christian businessman works ethically and gives his work all that he has, he glorifies God as he serves his employer and his customer. When a believing mom serves her children in ways sometimes only seen by God, she serves the Lord.

In all that we do. In every attitude. Let us proclaim our love to you Lord with serving hands and worshipful hearts.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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Lovingkindness

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. -Lamentation 3:22-23 NASB

The Hebrew word 'checed', rendered here as lovingkindness, is sometimes translated steadfast love, mercy or goodness. I have heard it compared to agápē, the Greek word that is often used to describe God's sacrificial love for us.

The phrase "compassions never fail" is such a wonderful elaboration of lovingkindness. The love of God is so consistent with his character. Like God love never fails. Like him, lovingkindness is eternal. It reminds us that we are most like God when we love. When we show kindness. When we are merciful. When we show goodness to those who least deserve it.

Help us to be merciful as you are merciful Lord. Let your lovingkindness light our way,

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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Obey

If we have to choose between obedience to God and obedience to any human authority,
then we must obey God. -Acts 5:29 [voice]

Throughout history men and women have faced challenges similar to the one that the apostles were confronted with here. In a very real sense these followers of Jesus were simply acting in a manner similar to their friend and master. In one sense it would have been so easy to obey these religious leaders. Yet in a deeper sense it would have been so hard.

In Les Miserables, that great musical based on Victor Hugo's novel, the protagonist is faced with a decision that will change his life and a man who is accused of a crime that he committed. Here is the way that Jean Valjean frames it:
If I speak, I am condemned. If I stay silent, I am damned!
The easy road is simply not that easy. Obeying our base survival instincts can so lead us astray. Seeing what happened to Jesus, it would have been understandable if the apostles went along with human authority. Yet these had seen more than the cross. More than the consequences of disobeying earthy leaders. These had seen the resurrected Jesus.

Instill courage in us Lord. Bravery to obey you in all things. A will to do your will.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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Humbly

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you. But to do justice, to love kindness.
And to walk humbly with your God? -Micah 6:8 NASB

The word 'humbly' recorded here can also be translated 'lowly'. I love that image. It reminds me that humility is rooted in servanthood. And by that I do not mean running an errand for a friend or occasionally helping out at the food pantry. Being a servant, walking humbly, is an issue of the heart that bleeds into the way that we conduct our lives.

Humility is a hard word for many of us. Being lowly is not an appealing image. We prefer to be in charge. We want to be the head and not the tail. The idea of thinking of ourselves as lower than another is not something we hear preached much. Yet to walk humbly with God requires a change in our self image. It means that we always put ourselves second.

I am filled with pride Lord. Cause me to kneel. Help me to walk the low road of humility.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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Sabbath

“The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” -Mark 2:27-28 NLT

This verse speaks to me of my need to rest. Not in a systematic organized fashion but in a relaxing way. For sure, the Sabbath that ancient Jews celebrated was anything but relaxing. Mosaic Law commanded them to basically cease from anything that looked like work. Keeping the Sabbath had to be pretty stressful. Not, as Jesus indicates, as God intended.

I love how Jesus is so bold as to confront his leaders on this. These, like many religious folks, took something that was meant to lighten our load and used it to heap more on us. Jesus words remind us that the scriptures are full of blessings if we will adjust our ears to really hear what he is saying. If we will simply be still and rest in his goodness and grace.

We are weary Lord. Help us to come to you that we might find rest.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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