Behind the Clouds

This post is taken primarily from aTim Keller  Study on Joy and Peace.  I wanted to share it with you today!  

Jesus says,"My peace I give you.  Not as the world gives it, do I give it to you.  Don't be troubled or afraid."  John 14:27

What is the peace Jesus gives us?

The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom.  It is multi-dimensional flourishing and fulfillment-spiritual, physical, emotional, social and cultural.

Peace has to do with wholeness in relationships.

There was a barrier between God and humanity, but Jesus paid the debt and now there is peace.  This peace cannot increase or decrease.  

Though in ourselves we are actually wicked, in Christ we are justified and accepted. (Romans 4:5)  

So we have legal standing before God through Christ Jesus.  We are holy and blameless in His sight.  Col. 1:22

Shalom is the restoration of all of these relationships under the power and reign of God. 

We are without peace when our relationship with God is broken, leading to psychological, social, and physical alienation.

I love this quote:

"There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for  a while.  The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him.  For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing:  there was light and high beauty forever beyond its reach.  His [courage before] had been defiance rather than hope; for then he was thinking of himself.  Now, for a moment, his own fate and even his master's ceased to trouble him...Putting away all fear he cast himself into a deep untroubled sleep."

-J.R.R Tolkien

Whatever troubles you today friend, I say Shalom.  I will say the same to myself.  For the Shadow that lurks and seems so permanent, is but passing overhead and behold when it passes the view of the heavens is so rich it causes my heart to sing.  Peace to you today as you rest in Christ Jesus alone.  We are meant for more---this is merely preparation for all eternity.

"Then sings my soul!"