Daily Devotional
Surrender Comes Before Peace
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:1-2
May 23, 2024
Ponder This
Peace is a right relationship with God that leads to right relationship with self and guides us in a right relationship with other people.
Righteousness and peace are linked together. Sin separates men from God. Sin brings inner turmoil, and it separates men from men. Admiral Nelson won a sea battle, and there was a French admiral surrendering to Lord Nelson. The French admiral came and approached Lord Nelson on the deck of a ship with all his gear and armor. And that admiral put out his hand to Lord Nelson to surrender, but Lord Nelson just stepped back and said, “Your sword first.”
There are a lot of people who just think they can walk up and glad-hand the Lord Jesus Christ, but He says, “Your sword first.” Surrender first. Jesus is not an appeaser, and He will never make a truce with sin. There can never be peace without first a surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
- Where do you need to surrender to Jesus to pursue peace?
- Where are you prone to want to deal with sin apart from admitting guilt? Why doesn’t his work?
Practice This
Praise God for making peace possible through Jesus.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
