by Jerry Senn
“Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden” (Romans 9:18, NIV).
God alone can create peace within a person’s heart even though he has sinned, even grievously. Peace within is a major concern of most honest thinking people.
Listen to what Isaiah said about this:
“For this is what the high and lofty One says—
He who lives forever, whose name is holy:
‘I live in a high and holy place,
But also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
To revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.
I will not accuse forever,
Nor will I always be angry,
For then the spirit of man would grow faint
Before me—
The breath of man that I have created.
I was enraged by his sinful greed;
I punished him, and hid my face in anger,
Yet he kept on in his willful ways.
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
Creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel.
Peace, peace, to those far and near.’
Says the Lord. ‘And I will heal them.’”
(Isaiah 57:15-19)
“You will keep in perfect peace him
Whose mind is steadfast,
Because he trusts in you”
(Isaiah 26:3, NIV)