Accept the Gift from God

4/12/23

Therefore, keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.  Deuteronomy 29:9.

In thoughtful contemplation of how peace and healing are tied together, I found peace has many facets.  I have learned peace is a Person, Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  It is a covenant, the Covenant of Peace.  It is a fruit of the Spirit, a command and a gift from God.  I am sure they are all related, but I want to study those related to healing. 

I start with a quote from a Healing series the Lord led me to I have quoted before, written by Randolph Barnwell.  “Where, in the body, sickness and disease attack the bodies composure, equilibrium or efficient function, impartations of peace were meant to bring healing. Healing and peace are closely associated. The healed are at peace.”   Healing Part 2 - Peace of God.pdf (randolphbarnwell.com)

I asked the Lord what is my obligation in acquiring peace and how do I make Him my Prince of Peace?  I was given Isaiah 26:12: Lord You, will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our works in us.  I believe He is saying: “Accept peace, it is a gift from God.”  He will establish our peace for each of us…it is His job.

I have accepted His gift of salvation, yet I found it hard to accept His gift of peace.  Why?  Perhaps because I never accepted the physical affliction I have had to bear.  I knew I wasn’t going to die because of all God had told me was yet to come to pass when I was given a deadly diagnosis.  Okay, that was faith and my faith (along with many peoples’ prayers) reversed it.  I gave glory to God and have kept fighting.

I have had no peace because I am in a constant battle of prayer for my restoration; trying to understand and obtain it.  Then, I read some eye-opening revelation.  Perhaps, you won’t see it as such but for one in a constant battle, it was refreshing; it was a relief…like I could relax from the struggle.

“The most spiritually mature, sincerest and purest of saints will at times experience sickness, by God’s permittance, for very specific reasons. If your sickness or trial is not understandable to you, trust God, your Faithful Father. He knows what He is up to. Leave room for the sovereignty of God.

Surrender your perceived right to know and understand everything that God permits to happen in your life. Through the process, trust Him. Prov 3:5-8 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 It will be HEALING TO YOUR BODY And refreshment to your bones.

Note verse 8; the disposition of not relying on our own capacity to understanding everything, but rather to express trust in God, is itself is a Divine methodology to heal your body.”  Healing Part 1 (randolphbarnwell.com).

The following verses are helping me see His peace as a gift to trust and to be freely accepted.

To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:79

Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you let not your heart be trouble neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.  Isaiah 53:5.

For thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream.  Isaiah 66:12.

He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest wheat.  Psalm 147:14.

If I put these verses together, it is His work to guide me into peace; He gives me His peace; and His death bought my peace and healing.  In addition, He offers me peace like a flowing river meaning, it is never ending, always moving and He creates this peace in my borders (my life, body and circumstances).  It is a gift from God.

Therefore, in my quest for His peace and healing I am to accept the gift from God.  Just as I accepted His gift of salvation; it comes with the salvation package and I’m just discovering this!  How can I say ‘no’ to an endless continual gift of quiet tranquility and healing?  My soul drinks its up like a thirsty donkey and I will be refreshed in the name of the Prince of Peace!  His fellowship is peace.

He sends forth springs in the valleys; they flow between the mountains; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.  Psalm 104:10-11.

Ephesians 2:14-17 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.