As many of you may already know, there is a war happening in the Middle East between the Israelis and the Palestinians, sparked by the unspeakable tragedy that befell the region a week ago.

So many innocent lives have been lost with no end in sight. Some may point to modern history as the genesis of this ongoing conflict, but I see similar conflicts dating back to the battles between the Israelites and the Canaanites.

When I approached the Lord today and asked what I should write to honor Him and encourage His beloved, the Spirit left only a word in my heart.

One word, yet so powerful— Peace.

Then the song “Peace Be Still” started ringing in my heart with the chorus below:

‘What did God promise in such a time as this?’ I wondered. Again, the Spirit moved and reminded me of the verse, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

I searched for the Word of God and located it in Psalm 46. There, I found His peace in the midst of all the pain and anguish of this world.

Take the time to read the following. This is the Word of God.

God’s words are final, and the power that lies within still resonates to this day.

Though the “nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; God lifts His voice, the earth melts... He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields with fire.

He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’”

In this frenzied world we are living in, we as believers are called to be set apart.

Before we let our thoughts and emotions take root, let us be still and seek Him and His heart first. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

He is sovereign. He is in control.

My Encouragement for You

My beloved, I pray we’d open up our hands to let His peace govern our hearts. In that peace, I pray we’d find room to pray for those in suffering as well as those lost in their evil ways to turn their ways back towards Jesus.

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matt. 21:21-22).

God gave us a mighty weapon in prayer to fight against our enemy in the ensuing spiritual warfare.

Be strong and courageous, and do not be afraid or discouraged (Josh. 1:9). The God who was and is and is to come will not relent.

No righteous will die in vain, and no evil will go unpunished.

With love, Jae

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

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