I am reading through the Bible with my church this year. I love the discipline of this; however, I have to admit that reading “categorically”, as we are this year, has been a bit of a challenge for me. Each day there are several chapters to read according to the divisions of the Bible – the law, history, prophecy, etc. – but we only read each category once a week. Think of reading one chapter a night in six or seven different novels. Yes, I know the Bible is all one book and all “goes together” but my thinker has a hard time stopping and starting in the middle of great Bible stories…especially the Old Testament ones.
That said, instead of trying to process the entire passage I’m reading each time – often, I ask the Lord to show me something through just one verse….and He always answers (if I’m listening). For instance, not long ago, we were reading Isaiah 29-33. For me, that is five chapters of “heavy” reading. However, this verse is among those chapters.
Isaiah 32:17 “and the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”
Peace….beautiful. Before our adorable Miss Roo was born, her mommy (our daughter) was a middle-school English teacher. Teasingly, we all used to wonder why anyone would teach middle schoolers?? Goodness, the middle school drama – and there was never a lack of it. Drama, of course, is not limited to middle schoolers….think teenage girls – and, now, there are even tremendous drama queens in elementary school. There is drama in the workplace, the neighborhood, in politics and, well you get the picture. In fact, our society seems to be driven by drama (don’t even get me started on reality tv and feeding off of other’s drama)!
However, this verse in Isaiah tells us righteousness brings peace….quiets the drama and calms the soul. Surely that should be the pursuit of our homes. We may not be able to stop all the drama that surrounds us but our homes can be a sanctuary from all the drama. Leave your drama at the door might well be a motto. Our homes may not always be quiet – in fact, I love the “noise” of family….whether its teenagers laughing with their friends, toddlers and other little ones giggling and running about, or babies “singing for their supper”! (In fact, I miss many of those sounds.) But our homes can still be characterized by peace.
The next verse (18) says, “and my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation…” As we hunger and seek after righteousness in our homes – individually and together as a family – we can create a refuge from the world’s drama….a place of real peace.
Great post, Jennifer, and a good reminder to me…
Love it!! That's a great truth, I've never seen before. Truly living a life God's way can eliminate much "drama" that hinders His flow of peace. Great Word for today. Thanks for sharing.
This was a great post Jennifer. I loved it. It is soo true for me too. It is what I really want in my home. A refuge from the choas of the world. A peaceful place where joy and love is felt. And your right, "quiet" is not necessarily peace. I too love the sounds of family, and miss it now that they are all gone. And after we all gather together and the little ones run and play and the babies cry and get into things, and the older ones want to chatter and bake or watch movies or whatever it's great to listen to the "quiet" again when they leave, haha. But it's not long and I again long for the "sounds" of family. I think your idea of pulling out a single verse is a great one, but maybe that is because that is what I frequently do too on some of those heavey chapters. But it works well and you have chosen some good ones. Have a good day, and thanks for posting this. Hugs, Debbie
Wonderful post! There is so much distress, sickness and sadness in the world. It is so good for our homes to be a refuge.
God is the ultimate refuge that we can go to. He calms our storms.
Great post. I have always felt like my home was my refuge. I love spending time at home with family. I always have. And I want our home to be a place where my children are always welcome to come back to whenever they want to be here. Love & blessings from NC!
Love that verse! Great post!
Amen Jennifer,
and if we ever needed a peaceful hope setting it is today!!
Our homes are to be havens for our
husbands and children, and even others. I desire that when anyone
enters our home they sense the peace of love of Christ, and we pray many times when someone is coming over
that they will sense the spirit and that the enemy will be bound at the treshold of our property.
I truly believe God answers those
prayers, because we have seen some
neat things happen, or had some comments made that re enforced those prayers.
Hope you are not still snowed in
girlie, know it must be getting
tiresome.
Blessings dearie,
Nellie