The Great Eight - Pt 11

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:18-25 ESV).

To better understand this next paragraph in our journey through “the Great Eight” we will turn to another passage from the Apostle Paul. The principle in our reading is that peace in Christ Jesus that guard your heart and mind. To the Philippi Church he writes, The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 ESV). I wish this were easier to understand in the face of difficult circumstances and events in our lives. However, the difficulty does not diminish the truth. So, let’s unpack it a bit. We should first note the context of this promise. This is also where we find the condition: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (verse 6). God’s peace is promised to guard those who pray with thanksgiving about everything. This peace will transcend our ability to understand it. There is precedent to this in other readings. We see other gifts of God that are not fully comprehensible to us. The gift of salvation is “indescribable” (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:15). The complexity and wisdom of God’s plan is inscrutable (cf. Isaiah 55:8-9). Even the love of Christ is something so great we will never fully understand it (cf. Ephesians 3:19). Likewise, human reasoning is incapable of fully comprehending the peace of God . The believer who places their full confidence in a loving God becomes thankful in every circumstance; and, that results in the possession of a supernatural peace. It is an inner calm that will dominate the heart. The faithful believer will know peace; his heart and mind are “guarded” by it despite the tempest raging without. No one, especially those outside of Christ, will be able to fathom that peace. To most, it will remain a mystery how someone can be so serene in the midst of turmoil. Our focus is so “then” that the “now” pales in comparison. I often need that kind of peace. Don’t you?