Divine Abundance

While reading yesterday's Daily Encouragement I came across a quote that I'd like to share here. The quote comes from Warren Wiersbe, a pastor and theologian. He says, "The peace of God is not the absence of problems; it is the presence of divine sufficiency in the midst of problems."

This struck a chord with me because I would categorize today as a day that I am struggling with personal demons and I am miserable as I attempt to excise them on my own. The Daily Encouragement points us to the scripture in Isaiah 26:3. As I pulled up BibleGateway and read the whole chapter, I wondered how other translations or paraphrases read (I usually read NIV).

Verses 3 and 4 of this chapter read like this in "The Message,"
"People with their minds set on you,
you keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet,
because they keep at it and don't quit.
Depend on God and keep at it
because in the Lord God you have a sure thing."

Here's what the New Iternational Reader's Version says,
"Lord, you will give perfect peace
to anyone who commits himself to be faithful to you.
That's because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever.
The Lord is the Rock.
The Lord will keep us safe forever."

I agree with The Daily Encouragement in that when we take our eyes off the One who promises to give us peace we are overwhelmed. I like the illustration given that peace and dismay cannot coexist just like we cannot expect to take sandpaper and rub across expensive furniture and expect something beautiful.

But I have to disagree with Dr. Wiersbe. The scriptures do not say anything about divine sufficiency but rather, divine ABUNDANCE. The scripture in Isaiah is clear in whatever translation you choose to read - God will give you perfect peace. In my mind that speaks to complete peace not "just enough peace to get us through" as Dr. Wiersbe suggests. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10b)

Thank you, Lord for Your divine abundance!

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