Peace and Joy

2 P&P Weekly Blog for 7-13 September 2024

My photos are from last Autumn when we traveled to our hometown in Pa. During our week-long stay, we visited with as many of our family members as we could. Among them were my brother (Bob), my sister-in-love (Bonnie), my niece (Alicia), and my great nephew (pictured Colton). 

Colton and I enjoyed a little time swinging together. I’ve captioned it “Peace and Joy” because “joy” seems to epitomize our expressions when sharing this moment. And “peace” because that’s the sign Colt made while flying through the air. Such simple ideas, right? 

Yet, how often do these qualities—which we long for and pray for the spirit to develop and manifest through us—evade us? 

Sometimes, it’s funny how the slightest inconvenience or difficulty disturbs our balance, peace, and joy. But Jesus longs for these to be our constant companions—because His Spirit dwells within us. Let’s look to His Word to see how we can gain (and keep) more of these attributes. 

Galatians 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness … (ESV).”

Isaiah 55:12: “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands (ESV).”

Isaiah 32:16-17: “The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. 17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever (NIV).”

Colossians 3:15: "And let the peace of God set up its throne in your hearts, whereunto also ye have been called in one body; and be ye thankful (THNT).”

2 Peter 1:2-3: “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness (NIV).”

Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand (NIV).”

Psalm 33:21: “Our hearts erupt with joy in Him because we trust His holy name (VOICE).”

The greatest sense of peace and joy is always found (and maintained) in Christ. 

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