Romans 16 - 9.10.26
Scripture: Romans 16:20
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Observation:
The power of peace. This scripture stuck out to me, sandwiched between a long list of greetings and Paul’s doxology to the church of Corinth, this short passage in Romans 16 stands out in how the defining power the peace of God carries is expressed.
Peace, from God, is powerful - powerful enough to crush Satan under our feet. The peace of God, peace who IS God, is mighty and powerful. True and steadfast peace is found in Him and our belonging we have in Him amidst all we face in our lives destined to a rollercoaster of experiences throughout our days.
Further, the peace of God is one that has the last word - see that word “soon?” We eagerly await the day when His will and His heart is the manifest reality everywhere we look after Jesus returns and when all attacks from Satan will be finalized and silenced; though, I know we need peace now. So, what do we do?
These past few weeks in church we have been turning a corner to become a church that even more than holds a church service, but one that beholds Jesus. This past Sunday Katie reminded us of the powerful rhythm it is to behold Jesus in the midst of our lives throughout whatever they may hold, she asked if we will become people who behold Him? This got me thinking how intimate and immediate our access is to not just the giver of peace, but the man that IS peace. Not only is He peace, but there is peace in the fact that He enters in all with us and advocates for us within whatever we may face. How does peace come into your mind and your heart when you truly ruminate in that the savior of the world calls you friend, to know that the blood of Jesus has the final say, to know that the truth is He is working all things for good to those who love Him. . . . When I am in the midst of a storm, because I know Jesus, I have the opportunity and access to behold the man himself that is peace and whose unwavering presence delivers peace. Peace far more powerful than a person, but greater in the form of a man available to behold.
When we are in the midst of a storm, do we seek to behold the man of powerful peace talked about in Romans 16? Peace is found in His eyes, His face, His consistent heart. Peace is Him, Himself. Scripture says Jesus does not just have peace or does not just give peace, while both of these are true, what is even greater is that He himself IS peace (Ephesians 2:14). So whenever I am in the midst of a ruminating spiral, where all I can think about is what could happen or fear based thoughts - I have the opportunity to turn to the man who himself is peace, in whom I have full access to, whose availability is limitless when I am face to face with circumstances that need His power and a mind that needs His peace.
When I am in need of peace, I don’t just find a feeling from God, but I go and find the man that is peace. When you are in need of peace, may you be reminded that you can find it knowing there is no battle or victory you or I have been in alone, but this man has and will be in every single experience with us - holding our hand and never forsaking anyone.
Application:
As we are repeatedly calling our church to do, I echo this rhythm of life again and invite you in, would you behold him?
For those reading this, if your heart is weary or if you are carrying stress, maybe even more belief in fear than in faith, may you “be + hold”. Be where you are and be in your current state + hold Him. To hold him is to create space and picture Him, allowing space and margin for your mind to align with His face, His voice, His words, and His heart - not rushing past who He is in His entirety to hurry back into worry, but beholding Him in the midst will cultivate an understanding in our hearts that peace is not only on the way, but immediately available in the man who is peace himself and in all things with us that we face.
Prayer:
Jesus, show me who you are in the midst of where my mind is. Jesus, show me your face and reveal to me deeper who you are in the midst of my storm and in my worry - as I come to you in my truest most vulnerable state, will you show me who you remain to be no matter what. Thank you for BEING the peace that I have which surpasses all understanding.
In Jesus mighty and peace filled name, Amen.
- Tess Schrupp
