Proverbs 3:2 “for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.”
Staying with friends – a beautiful family of thirteen in Franklin North Carolina – I was sitting in the last faint light of day looking out the upstairs rumpus area, staring out the window as the occasional headlamps glistened their reflection in the gloomy wet road. We had sat on the veranda that day in the autumn sun and I had sensed the intimate heaviness of the peace of God.
God whispered his love to me through the love of this beautiful family – in those moments somehow he was restoring my soul, relational trust was grown, peace was experienced, as brotherly love washed over my innermost person. I was enthralled as my lost childhood was somehow revived and given life and substance, there was new completeness and an unexpected nesting of sweet longing living inside me. A symmetrical tear of gratitude spilled over the edge of my inner self just as a single wet tear spearheaded its way down my cheek, followed soon by companions in haste. The moment was precious, still, held on to, known……………….. I whispered to myself, asking the presence to wait with me just a little longer. But it was done, and as it wisped away a poignant wholeness was left behind.
Jesus – thank you, your ways are mysterious to me.
KNOWLEDGE
Having God’s teaching as currency in your life and establishing his ways intentionally into your thoughts, emotions and will, brings a very clear outcome. There will be a fullness to your life, days will be complete, there will be enough time each day for the important and valuable things of life. Around you will be safety and prosperity, there will be a steady increase year upon year. In the middle of the toughest seasons of life, when the unexpected, unplanned and unbelievable things happen, you will rest well and know peace deep in your soul. The intangible riches of heaven will immerse you and spill on to others around you. There will be a continually emerging gentleness and beauty from the deepest places of your life, others will be drawn to you, will seek what you have, and will become closer to God through knowing you.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The original word for “pleasantness” in the Old Testament is “no’am” which is mentioned seven times. It’s translated as, beauty; favour; gracious; and pleasantness. I think if we declared that “favour” and “pleasantness” are life companions to us, then that is a good understanding
WISDOM: what are you remembering and keeping in your heart today, and what does the overflow sound like?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Maximiser, as you take the good and make it great, remember to celebrate.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [prolonged and lengthened days of sunset to sunset with a well-rested soul of life are ours, and we dwell in a walled city, safe, uninjured and complete, increasing always.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me to always be moving towards a closer relationship with you.
Wow….it is so beautifully written, ps Allan. I felt the peace, joy, gratititude and abundant feeling of fullness when I read your story.
Surely and truly, the presence of the Lord, the love, Grace, favor and mercy is enough for me…..that exactly what you have been experiencing….this is that the world would never given us and it is beyond measure and understanding.
This feeling exactly, what I have experienced when I heard that our factory is burn down in Oct 2019. Jesus Lord was with me very2 closely, hold me tight with His love, peace and calmness beyond anything I could ever think of. Praise God, praise God and praise God.
Jesus is enough for me ….that song is residing my heart and the Goodness of God will follow me all the days of my life. Amen.
Proverb 3:2,tells us that when we come under the teachings of God in obedience,it gives us long and prosperous life !
Even in tough seasons we can rest in the peace of God ,that he will always be with us to the end
God’s peace is like a soothing, gentle balm which covers us, relaxes and melts us in the most difficult of days. It is resting in the arms that are wrapped around us through each moment and each day. It is the courage that prods me on each day knowing that He will never leave me and is with me every step I take into my day
Those fleeting moments when God speaks to us, bringing His peace in the midst of raging storms, calming our pain, fear and sorrow. In that moment it hits us with a blinding clarity that He is with us, walking us through every season of our lives.
He will see us through this season, till it is over and we will rest inHis peace once more.
Pastor Allan, thank you for this beautiful message.
Thankyou Allan. I felt a great sence of peace after reading this.
I can think of many memorable moments with God and also through His people – glimpses of heaven on earth in a dark season producing endurance perseverance and hope. Thanks for bringing them back to my memory. How beautiful is God xx
Thank you Allan, beautifully written and impactful.
Thank you, I am taking on the knowledge part of today’s writing, most especially, Ps Allan.
I pray this over myself and my children today;
“The intangible riches of heaven will immerse you and spill on to others around you. There will be a continually emerging gentleness and beauty from the deepest places of your life, others will be drawn to you, will seek what you have, and will become closer to God through knowing you.” -Holy Spirit speaks through you, Pastor Allan.
Thank you
“There will be a continually emerging gentleness and beauty from the deepest places of your life, others will be drawn to you, will seek what you have, and will become closer to God through knowing you.” What a beautiful thought! That the pursuit of our relationship with the Father will overflow to others, pointing them to them also closer to The Father. Thank you Pastor Allan
Amen to all the above!
How marvellous is God’s ways!
Thank you Ps Allan for sharing from the depth of your heart to us. Yesterday I was interceding on behalf of a dear person. God’s word as I meditated and worshipping the Lord, the peace came over me and soon after received the good report!
All glory to God!
Thank you for praying for us as well.
May the Lord enlarge your capacity and strength and opportunity to reach the world with the good news I pray!
Thank you Pastor Allan – such a beautiful & poignant testimony!
How blessed we are to know a loving caring kind Heavenly Father who immerses us in so much grace peace & love as we sit with Him & sense His beautiful presence which brings so much restoration & healing to our lives in the good & even more so in the hard seasons of our lives. How amazing that He can exchange our ashes for beauty & restore what has been stolen & lost. Why would one not want to trust thirst & hunger & for more of Him! It stands to reason as we live in God’s peace favour & pleasantness that our health physically mentally & spiritually can only be impacted for good & we will live a longer & more fulfilled life as we seek to walk out the destiny God has called us to. This in turn will automatically impact those around us & who we meet along the way!
That was sooooo nice to read and knowing that you felt his peace around you and when he left you still felt his peace there with, sooo good pastor Alan
Beautiful message today Allan ! It’s so true that His peace surpasses all understanding. Thankyou Father God!
God is good!
Amen! I will always learn to be still and choose God’s peace in tough situations in life. Thank you JESUS
To know and experience the presence of God and his peace is beyond any feeling that can be explained. To live in the Shadow of the almighty , to know length of days he desires for us safe and protected , without harm. Especially in days we now know, reassured in His word Amen
Great Allan
What does the overflow of our heart look like? Great challenging thought.
Beautiful insight and beautifully written.
I remember my childhood sadness being restored at bible college. Back in the day we use to travel out to regional areas for a week to help the local church outreach to their local community. I was about a decade older than all the other students but one Saturday afternoon they welcomed me into their game of baseball soccer. Baseball rules but with a soccer ball (go with what you have available). In playing that afternoon, re-entered my childhood spiritually and was healed of past hurts.
Oh the tears of gratefulness and joy. 🥹
Oh, the tears of gratefulness, thankfulness, blessings & joy for the fullness we have in Jesus, are plentiful.
Ps Allan, God is so good, & the way you present this work is almost non-descript.
Thankyou, with all my heart.
God has met with me so much in this message today.
Truly blessed, free.
🙏💐