A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of December 28, 2020 – January 1, 2021
MONDAY
Now as Jesus drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”
Luke 19:41-42
Jesus weeps for the inhabitants of the city of Jerusalem. He weeps because they have not recognized the day of their visitation. What is being visited upon them? The peace of God is being visited upon them, but they do not recognize it.
What is meant by God’s peace? His peace brings with it a sense of wholeness. When we obtain the peace of God, then we have a sense of being intact, not fragmented or broken. His peace is more than an emotional manifestation. It is a feeling that results from an inner strengthening.
The word, “peace” means an end to inner conflicts and divisions. It means a single heart and mind, focused on the good and not the bad. Only Jesus can bring this. Because of His atoning blood, He is able to make from two distinct persons one. We are a new creation in Christ. All things have become new in Him.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Psalm 103:1-5 ~ Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
December 28: 2 Chronicles 33, Revelation 19, Malachi 1, John 18
December 29: 2 Chronicles 34, Revelation 20, Malachi 2, John 19
December 30: 2 Chronicles 35, Revelation 21, Malachi 3, John 20
December 31: 2 Chronicles 36, Revelation 22, Malachi 4, John 21
January 1: Genesis 1, Matthew 1, Ezra 1, Acts 1
January 2: Genesis 2, Matthew 2, Ezra 2, Acts 2
January 3: Genesis 3, Matthew 3, Ezra 3, Acts 3
TUESDAY
Now as Jesus drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”
Luke 19:41-42
The things that pertain to our peace include the ability to live without strife. When we strive, we are fragmented. Strife means that we are not sure of the answer: that we have not heard from God on the matter. His word settles all things, so striving (whether between men or within ourselves) is an indication that we have not sought God’s answer. Jesus’ peace comes as an answer to questions that are unsettled.
In Genesis 13, when Abraham and Lot’s herdsmen were fighting because God had prospered them so much that they had run out of grazing land for their cattle, Abraham told Lot to take the best land for himself. He allowed God to judge between him and Lot. How wonderful to have that level of wisdom. Because Abraham sought not his own answer, but God’s, there was peace between Lot and him. Because he allowed Lot to have first choice on the land shows that he carried an inner peace; a confidence in God that Lot did not have. He chose the lesser position in earthly terms and that allowed him to achieve a higher position in God’s eyes. God blessed them both, and the fighting over land ceased. Wisdom chooses God’s peace instead of fighting for the luxury of “being right.” God’s peace comes with His answer.
WEDNESDAY
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
We are admonished not to be anxious or careful for anything. Caring for things keeps us anxious. To be mindful of things means to not be at peace. When we are anxious we feel that we are “coming apart at the seams,” “losing it,” “falling apart.” When we feel this way, we have lost our peace, and we need the peace of God. God tells us to pray and ask Him for what we want.
After we have prayed in faith and have God’s answer and His reassurance, then His peace comes upon us as a reassurance that we have what we have asked for. His peace passes all understanding because it is beyond the realm of understanding. It surpasses and bypasses understanding. It is a supernatural deposit from God that only comes when His answer is received. When we pray, we receive God’s answer. The confirmation comes in the form of His peace. It is above the circumstances that brought us to our knees. His peace brings us to a higher place. It brings heaven down here on earth.
THURSDAY
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3
Peace forms a bond that keeps us together. Strife keeps us apart. Enmity keeps us apart. Peace draws us together by love. The unity of the spirit is in the spirit of love.
When there is love, there is unity. Love is the binding force that takes away all divisions and strife. When God appears, He takes all enmity and divisions out of the midst of us. He allows His peace to rule and reign in our hearts, first, and then the peace is released onto others.
The bond of peace keeps the atmosphere around us “devil free”, for peace is the highest order of things. When God’s peace comes on the scene, it is hard to break. Imagine a strong wall around your life once you have received God’s answer to your problem.
Negative thoughts try to come and pierce this barrier, but they tend to “bounce off” your mind because the bond of peace repels all strife. Our spirits are unified and united with our souls and emotions. We are whole and intact. The peace bond then surrounds us and protects us from further assault.
FRIDAY
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:7
Jesus’ peace is on the increase. This is good news. As more and more people hear the gospel they come under the authority of His peace. Peace is on the increase. Whenever His answer is spoken, peace follows.
His word is forever settled in heaven. As we speak His word, His peace increases. God has the final word in every argument. As we look to Him for all of our needs, His peace bypasses our understanding and settles in on our situations. When we receive His peace, we receive His comfort. When the Comforter comes, He brings truth and further instruction.
The Comforter comes on the wings of peace and brings gifts with Him. Whatever is needed can then be obtained because where peace reigns, it continues to increase. Miracles happen in this atmosphere because the peace of God means wholeness, healing, and the return of missing things. Things that pertain to our welfare are established when peace reigns. We should pray to obtain our inheritance of peace.