40 Days of PEACE
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of PEACE
Day 21 | No peace for YOU! | Isaiah 48:22
40 Days of PEACE
Day 21 | No peace for YOU! | Isaiah 48:22
No peace for YOU!
Isaiah 48:22
“‘There is no peace for the wicked,' says the Lord.”
In Isaiah 48 we read about a time near the end of Israel’s captivity in Babylon. The passage ends with a section that focuses on God’s promise to deliver His people from captivity via a Gentile King, Cyrus. This section – and this verse – show God’s love for His people and his power to deliver.
I’m reminded also of Psalm 37:1-2, which says: “Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.”
I think we all need these verses for perspective as sometimes it SEEMS that the wicked – the evildoers – are in control and winning.
But then Isaiah reminds us that WE can enjoy God’s peace, but “there is no peace for the wicked.”
I think of some of the stories you hear or read about, like a former urban gang member who somehow escaped his life in the gang. Short of that escape, there was no peace. There is always the “next job” and the subsequent “proving yourself” by doing the required wicked things.
But Jesus himself said, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy-laden.” (Matt 11:28)
So, let me ask: Have you gotten to the place where you’re willing to stop losing any sleep over the BAD guys out there? Have you learned yet how to CAST your care onto the LORD and then enjoy the PEACE that He can provide you?
It takes some effort and training of your mind to NOT lean negative with the next bit of bad news, but perhaps this verse is a little spot of “joy” since the wicked are constantly stressed and never rested.
Prayer: LORD, help me to rest in YOU… to not worry about things I can’t fix, but follow you and let you lead me, day by day and month by month. Help me to encourage others that YOU have it in your hands. Amen.
Isaiah 48:22
“‘There is no peace for the wicked,' says the Lord.”
In Isaiah 48 we read about a time near the end of Israel’s captivity in Babylon. The passage ends with a section that focuses on God’s promise to deliver His people from captivity via a Gentile King, Cyrus. This section – and this verse – show God’s love for His people and his power to deliver.
I’m reminded also of Psalm 37:1-2, which says: “Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.”
I think we all need these verses for perspective as sometimes it SEEMS that the wicked – the evildoers – are in control and winning.
But then Isaiah reminds us that WE can enjoy God’s peace, but “there is no peace for the wicked.”
I think of some of the stories you hear or read about, like a former urban gang member who somehow escaped his life in the gang. Short of that escape, there was no peace. There is always the “next job” and the subsequent “proving yourself” by doing the required wicked things.
But Jesus himself said, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy-laden.” (Matt 11:28)
So, let me ask: Have you gotten to the place where you’re willing to stop losing any sleep over the BAD guys out there? Have you learned yet how to CAST your care onto the LORD and then enjoy the PEACE that He can provide you?
It takes some effort and training of your mind to NOT lean negative with the next bit of bad news, but perhaps this verse is a little spot of “joy” since the wicked are constantly stressed and never rested.
Prayer: LORD, help me to rest in YOU… to not worry about things I can’t fix, but follow you and let you lead me, day by day and month by month. Help me to encourage others that YOU have it in your hands. Amen.