Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 30; Psalm 119:73-96; Isaiah 57; Matthew 5
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. (Isaiah 57:19-21)
Do you have peace? The peace that God is speaking of here is the shalom of Jehovah. This peace means rest, happiness, safety, welfare, friendliness, health and favor. It is a genuinely good place to dwell in the protection and provision of God. God here says that he creates the fruit of the lips that says, "Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near." Words are the fruit of lips and God creates the words that come from mouths declaring peace to others. What kind of words are coming from your lips? Do you declare, "Peace, peace," to others?
The fruit of the lips come from the abundance of the heart. So what you declare will come from your heart. What is in your heart? Jesus said:
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:45)
Is peace and goodness coming from your heart? If it is it is created by God. If you are bringing forth that which is evil, it comes from your old sinful heart.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:15-16)
The fruit of our lips is thanksgiving to God in praise for what he has done for us. The Bible tells us this is the sacrifice that God is well pleased with. Do you offer this sacrifice to God? Do you allow thanksgiving to flow out of your mouth for the goodness and bounty that God has shown you? Do you tell others of the peace they can have when they trust in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ?
Can you see the contrast between those who have peace and the wicked? The wicked are like a troubled sea. The waters cannot rest but cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace to the wicked. What is your soul like? Is it a peaceful high mountain lake that is like a mirror lying between the beautiful mountains? Or is it like a hurricane tormented ocean?
The only way to have peace is to come to Jesus and trust him with every issue of life.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
In Christ,
Rody
