Doing Good Results In Peace
But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good — for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. Romans 2:10 (NLT)
To do good, to live right, and to go with God as opposed to going against God, bring about peaceful outcomes. Our scripture confirms that God will shine His glory and honor on such people. We saw in the previous chapter what the wicked, disobedient person’s life looks like. It is clear that going against the grain of what God desires results in painful splinters. In contrast, doing God’s will creates a smooth pathway towards ultimate blessings and honor.
The twenty-third Psalm is David’s song about the Lord being his Shepherd. Let’s look at it with today’s lesson in mind:
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 (NLT)
How do the sheep get to peaceful streams? By following the Shepherd. The only way to follow the Shepherd is to obey the Shepherd and to stay with Him. The Shepherd leads the sheep through some dangerous places and past some formidable enemies. The Shepherd also provides guidance, safety, and oversight of what happens next. The Shepherd leads His sheep all the way, never leaving or forsaking them.
They have only one thing they must do: They must follow and obey the Shepherd. When you do your best to follow God by doing His will, it will ultimately result in your life being distinguished by glory, honor, and peace. Today, we must tell ourselves that peace is not just a person, a gift, or a goal. Peace is a reward for living right in a world gone wrong. It’s a fruit, an outcome of maturing as a child of God.
Follow the Lord, obey His Word, and you will experience a peace that is beyond your understanding.
Action Steps:
- Follow the Good Shepherd. Obey His Word.
- Even when in a dangerous place, know that your obedience to God will bring glory and honor to God.
- Expect God to anoint your head with oil. Expect your cup of joy to be overflowing.
- Remember, goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!
- Expect God’s peace to be around you and within your heart. He loves you very much, and He desires to bless you with glory, honor, and peace.
Excerpted from The Art of Peace: 21 Days To A More Peaceful You by Iann Schonken:
