May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 1:2
I remember way back when I was in first grade learning what we used to call multiplication or times tables. Each student in the class would take turns each day reciting our multiplication tables starting counting by ones on day one. On day two we would do our two times table and so on. The catch was if we counted incorrectly, we couldn’t go out for recess. Now, this was a great motivator for our class to study and memorize our multiplication table. I mean, who wanted to miss recess?
Math was never my strongest subject but after really applying myself through study and memorization I ended up enjoying many fun-filled days outside at recess. Oh, how I wish sometimes for those glory days. No worries. Carefree. Running around just for the fun of it, and not for exercise. Yes, those were easy breezy days when my most pressing issue was learning multiplication problems.
Fast forward to today, the problems in the world, we as a society, and in our personal lives face from day to day are difficult and hard to deal with. And as much as I disliked multiplication in school I'm grateful to God that He has provided His own multiplication operation in this school of life. His components? Grace and peace.
Now more than I’ve ever experienced is there a need for more grace and more peace to be multiplied. The stressors of inflation, lawlessness, massacres, and the cares of life, in general, can be wearisome and downright discouraging at times. So how do we work out God’s method of multiplying grace and peace in these precarious times?
It’s through the knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing God through His Word. Effective study of the Scriptures by the Spirit requires commitment, memorization, and dividing. Yes, dividing. We must be diligent to present ourselves approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Then there is the application of the things we’ve learned. Knowing the Word of God is good but not enough. We’ve got to go beyond head knowledge and must set our hearts to be doers of the word of God and not just hearers only. (James 1:22)
Earnest prayer is a binding component to knowing and experiencing God. Prayer helps us not be anxious and helps to multiply peace in our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, in all these things we must be humble. God gives more grace to the humble but He resists the proud. So, if we want God's all-sufficient grace multiplied, we must give ourselves to living a life of humility. More peace multiplied? We must give ourselves to God’s Word. Give ourselves to prayer. Give ourselves more fully to Jesus and keep our minds stayed on Him, then the Prince of peace will keep us in perfect peace.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3
Sounds easier said than done right? I know, especially when you're in the deep trenches of trial but God’s Word is fact and He says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. He didn’t say it would be easy, but He did say it was possible. (Mark 10:27)
We take heart because God is with us now and we have a blessed future with Him in eternity. Where they’ll be no more worries. Carefree. Splendid. Glorious. We’ll be able to run without getting tired. Instead of walking our streets afraid we'll walk the streets of gold with far surpassing peace and joy as we've never known.
No more pain. No more sickness. No more struggles. Every day will be like “recess” but oh so much better. God will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
In the meantime, my prayer for us all is that grace and peace be multiplied to us through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. In His name, Amen.
Love and prayers,
Shannon
If you were blessed by this post subscribe or share to encourage others!
