“‘But there is no peace for the wicked,’ says the Lord.” Isaiah 48:22 (NLT)
We have looked for several articles at how God blesses His people with peace. When people have served the Lord for a long time, they tend to forget just how bad it is for people who don’t live in a realm of peace. They almost get bored with peace, and they are tempted to go and do some exciting things like the people in the world do.
We will do well to remember what the world looks like without peace. Isaiah the prophet paints a vivid picture of the wretched lives of the wicked in his writings:
It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your lips are full of lies, and your mouth spews corruption. No one cares about being fair and honest. The people’s lawsuits are based on lies. They conceive evil deeds and then give birth to sin. They hatch deadly snakes and weave spiders’ webs. Whoever eats their eggs will die; whoever cracks them will hatch a viper. Their webs can’t be made into clothing, and nothing they do is productive. All their activity is filled with sin, and violence is their trademark. Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Misery and destruction always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace or what it means to be just and good. They have mapped out crooked roads, and no one who follows them knows a moment’s peace. Isaiah 59:2–8 (NLT)
I don’t know about you, but I want to run from that kind of life as far as I can. Whatever excitement exists over there is short-lived and ultimately condemned to painful failure! It clearly states that they don’t know where to find peace or what it means to be good. Even those who hang out with them are doomed to a peaceless life!
Ezekiel, another Old Testament prophet, paints a picture of what happens to people who abandon their place of peace with God:
Terror and trembling will overcome my people. They will look for peace but not find it. Ezekiel 7:25 (NLT)
These verses describe how God's people left their place of blessing. They try out the excitement and enticements of the world. These scriptures clarify that to leave God is to leave peace behind. God does not lie. There is no peace for the wicked.
Action Steps:
Have you become a little bored with the Christian life of being honest and kind? Are you sometimes tempted by the kind of life many live in the world? Do you sometimes wonder if it will not be more fun to live like some celebrities on television who seem to do whatever they want and still live an extraordinary life?
Remind yourself that there is no peace for the wicked apart from God. Gold turns to sand when you don’t have peace in your life.
Enjoy the peace God gives. Be grateful for the blessings of the Lord that add no sorrow. Don’t be tempted by what the wicked sell. Go and read Psalm 37. It will help you understand how good you have it with the Lord.
Review:
Day 1: God Is The God Of Peace.
Day 2: Jesus Gave Us Peace With The Father.
Day 3: Where God Rules Peace Is Evident.
Day 4: Let Holy Spirit Control Your Mind.
Day 5: Holy Spirit’s Teachings Bring Peace.
Day 6: Peace Is A Fruit Of The Spirit.
Day 7: Peace Is A Blessing From The Lord.
Day 8: Fix Your Thought On God And Obtain Peace.
Day 9: Let Peace Rule In Your Heart.
Day 10: Love Peace.
Day 11: Jesus’ Words Bring Peace.
Day 12: Peace Of Mind And Heart.
Day 13: Trusting God Leads To Peaceful Sleep.
Day 14: There Is No Peace For The Wicked.
Excerpted from The Daily Christian: Peace by Iann Schonken