Peace of Heart
by Annie Yorty
The latest horrific news makes me long for peace. Some think peace of heart is only for the future in heaven. Or worse, just a fairy tale. Can we truly experience peace today?
We’ve all heard the old saying about March—it comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. That didn’t exactly pan out in Pennsylvania this spring. But one way or another, spring is coming. Almost all my daffodils are now in full bloom. Sweet songbirds rouse me from slumber at dawn. My parka enjoys its vacation in the closet.
Natural Enemies
The description of March’s weather reminds me of imagery in the Bible surrounding lions and lambs. You won’t find these natural enemies near one another. When I searched the internet for a rare instance of a lion and lamb dwelling together, I came upon a YouTube video entitled, “When the Lion Lies Down with the Lamb.”
Aha! I thought. Peace is possible. Much to my horror, the video portrayed a male lion toying with a newborn antelope. The poor baby didn’t stand a chance. I usually provide links to my references, but this time I’ll spare you. 😊
Lions and lambs cannot exist together in peace because we live in a predatory system infused by sin.
Animals are either hunters or quarry.
Scammers prey upon the elderly.
Criminals attack the weak.
A strong nation invades a weaker country.
An older brother picks on a younger brother.
No doubt you’ve been a victim too.
Lions
We find plenty in the Bible about one of the strongest and fiercest predators, the lion.
David wrote many psalms about the ravenous “lions” he encountered.
I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey—whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords. (Psalm 57:4 NLT)
Peter compared God’s enemy, Satan, to a lion.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NLT)
Notice the exploitative nature of the enemy when compared to a lion.
Interestingly, a heavenly being called Jesus the Lion of Judah.
But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5 NLT)
As a name of Jesus, Lion implies conquering power.
Lambs
Throughout the Bible, God referred to His people as His sheep. Sheep are needy and tend to stray. We have the same characteristics.
My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray and turned them loose in the mountains. They have lost their way and can’t remember how to get back to the sheepfold. (Jeremiah 50:6 NLT)
In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to sacrifice lambs to atone, or pay, for their sins.
Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. (Exodus 12:3 NLT)
Most importantly, John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29 NLT)
Jesus, the Son of God, offered Himself as the perfect, spotless sacrifice that would pay for the sin of all mankind across all time.
Jesus, Lion and Lamb
The Bible tells us of a time when the predatory system on earth will cease.
The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. But the snakes will eat dust. In those days no one will be hurt or destroyed on my holy mountain. I, the Lord, have spoken! (Isaiah 65:25 NLT)
Jesus, the Lamb of God, died on the cross. The victorious Lion of Judah rose after three days. Who and what did He conquer? Sin and death for the believer in Jesus are blotted out. Satan’s control is limited for now and will be eliminated when Jesus returns to earth in glory.
This promised peace between hunter and prey points to the end of strife between God and His people. To the extinction of discord in families, communities, and nations.
Peace of Heart for Us Today
Are you wearied by constant reports of strife? Trouble stalks ever closer to our neighborhoods and even our homes. While part of Isaiah’s prophecy will occur in the future, Jesus offered peace for today.
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27 NLT)
Our first step to peace must be toward God through Jesus Christ. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, please read Steps to Peace with God.
Once you have received the gift of forgiveness through Jesus, peace of heart and mind can be your everyday experience despite a hurricane of awful circumstances bearing down.
What difficulties occupy your entire field of vision? Have they consumed your mind, overcome your hope with despair?
Our first step to peace must be toward God through Jesus Christ. Share on XMeditate upon the verses that reveal Jesus as the conquering Lion of Judah and the meek Lamb of God. Envision the reality of His power to overcome. Bask in His desire to bring you home to His strong and loving arms where you belong.
Then the peace of God will rule your heart.
Join the conversation:
What thoughts or troubles steal your peace?
I welcome your comments!
An Invitation
Tonight, March 30th from 7:00 to 9:00 EDT, please click the link to join the From Ignorance to Bliss Launch Party. We will have special guests from all walks of life to talk about their perspective on Down syndrome and other special abilities. You will also hear excerpts from the book and join in conversation. To top it off, we’ll have four prize drawings. Click the link now and join the fun!
Copyright ©2022 Annie Yorty
Value Every Life
10 Comments
J.D. Wininger
This world wants to steal your peace, and the “lions” want to keep you frightened, fearful, and uneasy. The news media today, in fact, feeds on your fear (e.g., “if it bleeds, it leads”). What Satan and those under his delusions fail to notice is that when we’re truly children of God, we recognize that we have no fear of what he and this world might do. Oh, we hurt and are saddened by the terrible evil that seems to permeate all facets of life here, but it doesn’t make us afraid. Note: being prepared to combat evil doesn’t make us fearful, but it should cause those with evil intent to fear.
As I was reading your post, I thought about how defenseless and fearful sheep are. I thought of how even small birds like chickens and guineas will attack when facing a perceived threat, but sheep/lambs are the most non-threatening animals I’ve met. As I considered how lions and lambs can never mix in this world, I reminded myself that while I am “in” this world, I am no longer “of” this world. I also thought of how certain breeds of dogs (mastiffs, rottweilers, kangals, sheepdogs such as great pyrennes, etc.) can be trained to be fierce defenders of their families, to the point of defeating lions, wolves, and other predatory animals. I smiled at that thought that some of us may have been trained for that very purpose, to defend Christ’s flock. So few recognize that even sheepdogs/guardian dogs are submissive to the shepherd. Loved this post sweet friend, and am so looking forward to your book launch.
Annie Yorty
Wow, J.D.! You added so many great insights to this topic. Thank you! I’m going to ponder that last point especially–that God appoints defenders. That’s a cool thought. Blessings to you.
Katherine Pasour
“The Lamb of God” and the “Lion of Judah”…Jesus is both and we are blessed that He, the Son of God, will defend us against Satan, while at the same time, He (the lamb) gifted us with eternal life through His sacrificial gift on the cross. I think J.D.’s point is on target–perhaps we are called to exemply both of those characteristics when needed–protect others with the courage of a lion when they are being threatened. And be the humble lamb at times–especially when our pride is wanting to burst forth to cause trouble. Thank you for this thought-provoking message.
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Katherine, for adding to the conversation. There are so many nuances with each of these names of Jesus. I love how everyone brings out something new.
Yvonne Morgan
I love your post and look forward to the day we see the lion and the lamb lying together peacefully in heaven. I pray to know Jesus and the lamb while I’m bold like the lion in my faith. Thanks Annie
Annie Yorty
Thanks, Yvonne. That’s a wonderful prayer. God has placed His power within us to accomplish His will. Praise Him!
Candyce Carden
It’s such a paradox, isn’t it? A lion and a lamb in one. But it is Jesus we’re talking about through whom all things are possible.
Annie Yorty
Amen, Candyce! We can trust Jesus for everything. Happy Easter!
Jen Knight
I thought we were moving into spring and then it snowed all day today. This is a beautiful post. I’m almost finished studying Revelation and I long to see Jesus return and see the lion and the lamb together. What a beautiful picture.
Annie Yorty
Oh my! I love winter, but when March rolls around, I’m ready for some warmth. Reading Revelation makes me long for our peace-filled home too. We won’t be dragged down by our physical ailments either. So many blessings to look forward to. Thanks for visiting and sharing your insights, Jen!