Peace And Quiet

Better a dry crust with peace and quietthan a house full of feasting with strife.

Proverbs 17:1 (NIV)

Strife. What is strife? Strife is “quarrels, struggles, conflict, competition, and contention.”

So let’s do a little reality check. What is the present state of your heart and soul and mind? Are you constantly wrestling and reacting? Are you defensive and protective? Are you frustrated, never satisfied? We live in a world that feeds this. It’s all around us, but the only time it really becomes dangerous is not when it’s all around us, but when it’s in us.

Our proverb today speaks of simplicity, just a crust of bread. It’s enough if you have peace and quiet.

The apostle Paul is such a great example to us. We know he wrote the book of Philippians from a prison cell in Rome. Maybe some days all he had for dinner was a crust of bread, but from that cell he gave us the real secret to peace and quiet in a troubling world. He said, “Rejoice in the Lord. Again I say ‘Rejoice.’ The Lord is near. So be anxious for nothing, thankful for everything, and pray the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” and “I have learned in whatever state I am to be content; for I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:4-7, 11-12, author’s paraphrase).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

The joy of simple, that’s want we need today. It’s summer. The world outside is full of life; let’s go for a walk. Stop and talk to a neighbor. Look for birds’ nests in the trees. Be still: listen to the sounds all around you. Look up: just the blue of the sky or the shape of the clouds can be a simple joy. Sit and watch some busy ants. Try to find a ladybug. Take deep breaths. Have a little talk with God your Father and tell him all the things you like about the world he made.

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears

all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.

—MALTBIE D. BABCOCK

One Year Bible Reading

1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51–8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1