May 9, 1999, Sunday

Is peace very difficult to achieve between countries that

are at war? What instructions are available for countries

that are pursuing peace? What awareness must the leaders

have to negotiate a peace that will endure?

Jesus taught the people in a parable about the character

of God with His chosen ones. His kind intentions are to

protect and put peace around His people for results of

righteousness to flourish and His Spirit fruits to grow-

"Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who

planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, inside it

He dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased

it to vinedressers and went into a far country" (Mat 21:33).

Jesus expressed the confidence of God in those that do His

work in the church, but also a caution to those who enjoy

the priviledges and fellowship of the church. Confident

that those filled with His Spirit would do a great work

without close supervision and caution to understand the

great responsibility of the disciple and the Church.

Isaiah prophesied that God would plant His Church in the

land of Israel. His hedge around the vineyard, the Church

and its individuals, is the law which is the teacher of

the Church and the believer, and the providence of God-

"For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of

Israel, And the men of Judah His delightful plant. Thus

He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; For much

fruit of righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress"

(Isa 51:7). The contrast that Isaiah saw was a warning

to His people and a conviction of the crime againt God

for complete disregard of the purpose of God's Church.

Jesus taught the people by the use of another similar

parable to explain the need for being prepared for the

problems and temptations that are sure to come everyday-

"It is like a man, away on a journey, who upon leaving

his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning

to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to

stay on the alert" (Mark 13:34). Watchfulness suggests

being prepared to avoid being taken unaware by an enemy.

It requires careful awareness to reach a desired goal.

Let us remember Who is the God that is our peace. God's

Name is Jehová Shalom. He is the God that puts His peace

all around His people. He is the God that is helping us

learn His ways. He is meek and humble and makes us aware

that the fear of the Lord gives protection. He will soon

crush Satan under our feet and instructs us from all of

His teaching. Lift your hands to Him and Praise Him today

for the fact that He keeps us with in His peace!