There is a thief who is on the loose. He is after something that you and I have as Christians. He will do everything he can to steal it from us. That something is our Peace.
Our Lord Jesus Christ warned us:
John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have life it more abundantly."
Jesus called him "the thief" and so he is. From the moment of salvation, we realize very quickly that we have an enemy and that his main objective is to rob us of our spiritual blessings that we have in Christ Jesus. One of those blessings is our Peace.
The devil cannot stand for us to be at Peace with God so he sends forth every temptation to entice us or allure us to Sin for he knows that if we give in, we will lose our Peace with God.
The devil cannot stand for our bodies to be at peace so he sends forth all kinds of viruses, infections, sickness, infirmity, and disease to disturb the harmony that is necessary for each member to operate properly.
The devil cannot stand for us to have peace in our souls so he torments our minds with every kind of thought that is contrary to God's Word and character.
The devil cannot stand for all brethren to dwell together in unity for He knows that that is where God commands the blessing. What does he do? He sows lies, envies, jealousies, strife, and selfishness between them. He sets up misunderstandings and offences to divide the body and steal the peace that Jesus desires among His church. But the scriptures show us that we are not to be "ignorant of his devices.":
2 Corinthians 2:11 "Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."
Satan seems to be getting the advantage over the Church in many ways.
One of the ways he seems to be winning is by stealing our peace each day. It is time that we as God's Victorious Army rise up and say - "Enough is Enough!"
We are not going to let this thief come into our lives, homes, families, relationships, ministries, churches, jobs, etc. and steal our Peace. It is time that we get fightin' mad and take back what this thief has stolen from us.
Jesus purchased our Peace on the Cross, and we are entitled to it. It is ours! It belongs to us and to our children. It is a part of the Blood Covenant that we have with the Lord Jesus. It is a part of the Atonement. And no devil has any right to it!
Psalm 71:18 "Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not: until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."
He has had many "great and sore troubles" throughout his lifetime:
Psalm 71:20 "Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth."
He would turn to the Lord Who is his Rock and Fortress:
Psalm 71:3 "Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress."
His hope and his trust from his youth:
Psalm 71:5 "For thou art my hope, O Lord God; thou art my trust from my youth."
His strong refuge:
Psalm 71:7 "I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge."
The Lord his God is the One Who took him out of his mother's bowels and upheld him from birth:
Psalm 71:6 "By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee."
He is the One Who taught him from his youth:
Psalm 71:17 "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works."
Because he had such a "rich" and vibrant relationship with the Lord and continually resorted to this "Strong Habitation" (v. 3), he could confidently declare, "In Thee, O LORD, do I put my trust." (v. 1) There was no question in his mind as to Who to confide in, have hope in, flee for protection, take refuge or shelter, or put his trust in.
Others may choose to trust in themselves, another man, other gods, etc., but the Psalmist knew God from his youth and had seen His Faithfulness displayed unto him time and time again:
Because he places his total confidence in the Lord rather than another man, he petitions the Lord to reward Him with His grace and favor: If you have not already done so, please consider trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. For more information on Salvation Click Here to view "How can I get to Heaven?"
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