Malachi 2:17 – “You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” Because you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the Lord’s opinion, and he delights in them,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”

Each day has its challenges and opportunities.  Each day is an adventure or an adversity. Each day is a gift, and its value is in our response to it. We do not face the day alone.  We have others, and more importantly, we have God. His love guides and provides.

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was moved by one word in Malachi 2:17. God said, “You have wearied me…”  What?  How is it possible, and what is the danger of wearying God?

The weariness stemmed from a perversion of Grace.  Read the verse and realize that it is present today!   Cheap Grace.   Grace is abundant and freely bestowed, but never to be presumed upon.

God desires and demands our Whole Heart!   Anything less is to be guilty of offering Him second-rate offerings.   If we want God’s best, we must give Him ours.   It is not a good exchange for God, but He takes our gifts and transforms them.   Only as we are fully surrendered can we enter God’s rest through His peace.

In John 20:19, Jesus said, “Peace be with you.”   That suggests or reveals that Peace is a Presence!  It is a supernatural presence, not a gift but a presence!   It is a divine empowerment enabling us to endure any trial or test and secure His promised provision.

In verse 21, Jesus said, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”   We go with that presence working its divine purpose in our lives.   Then He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”   There is a connection between the presence (peace) and the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

In verse 26, He said, “Peace be with you.”   Peace is not an emotion; it is a presence!   It guides.   It enables one to stand.   It assures.   It encourages. It is the divine power and person of Jesus with and in us.   It transforms.

Having done all to stand, we stand in peace.   When Jesus said, “My peace I give unto you…” He was offering divine enablement!   The pathway to peace is surrender and pressing into the presence of Jesus.   If God has my whole heart, I am In Him, and He is In me.   If that condition exists, Peace is the prevailing presence.  In peace, we can love and live like Jesus because there is no fear, and there is complete assurance and confidence.

Do you want Peace?  Give Jesus everything and seek Him above all else.