The Daily Word of Righteousness

Laying Hold on Eternal Life, continued

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; (Psalms 103:3)

Healing is associated with the forgiveness of our sins. It is the Lord's will to heal all our diseases.

Our healing was purchased by the lashes laid on the Lord Jesus in Pilate's judgment hall.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Physical healing goes together with spiritual healing.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (III John 1:2)

All healing comes from the eternal Life of God.

Joy. Joy is one of the most important aspects of eternal life. Eternal life and joy are very closely related. Gloom, misery, depression, pessimism reflect the absence of life. The believer who is experiencing gloom and pessimism is not necessarily sinning but is in a battle for life. When the victory comes, joy will return.

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalms 30:5)

In God's favor there is eternal life.

In God's Presence there is fullness of joy.

"Fun" is the fleshly counterpart of joy. Fun cannot exist in the midst of distressing circumstances, but joy can. The Apostle Paul commanded us to "rejoice always." He wrote this when confined in prison.

The Lord Jesus was continually harassed by hostile people and unpleasant circumstances. Yet He was a man of the greatest joy and offered to give us His joy.

The joy of the Lord is our strength and comes from the eternal Divine Life that is seeking to fill and govern our personality.

Peace. The Scriptures have a great deal to say about peace. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalms 119:165)

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ. (Philippians 4:7)

During the first few years of our Christian experience we may suffer much tribulation, much discouragement, distressing circumstances, but these do not last forever. They are the judgment of God on our worldly, sinful, self-seeking personality. If we patiently endure the chastisement of the Father we will find that it results in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (I Peter 5:10)

It is necessary that we suffer. Otherwise we continue to live in the flesh. Living in the flesh prevents us from having lasting peace.

Peace is an important part of the fruit of the Spirit. God is the God of peace. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. It is His will that you and I have peace. There is no place for fear or dread in the Lord's palace.

Let us ask the Lord to remove all hindrances to our peace. He will always answer this prayer although He often does so in surprising ways. Be patient and your peace will come in God's time.

To be continued.