The paradox is an interesting study. The series of words seemingly contradict one another but in a phrase they join together to create an entirely new meaning. "I'd like to order the jumbo shrimp." Is it "jumbo" or is it a "shrimp?" There are sentences put together that form a paradox. "Everything I say is the truth" is the starter, followed by, "I am a liar."
How about this? There is peace through fear. A great passage in the bible is in 1 Kings when God appears before Elijah, "The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'” The great and mighty God shows his power, yet comes to Elijah in a whisper. The whisper caused Elijah to uncover his face and stand to face God with confidence.
David speaks of this as well. "The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars.... The voice of the LORD flashes forth in flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness.... The LORD sits enthroned over the flood.... May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace." (Psalm 29)
God's strength gives us peace. His strength is demonstrable and creates fear, yet at the same time we are at peace because God's strength is over us, around us, and in it we find peace. The same strength that creates fear drives us to peace with God through His Son Jesus Christ, whose suffering, death and resurrection are over us while shattering the grip of sin and death.
We pray for God's strength to surround us. The strength that can lay a forest low is the same strength in which we find peace.
Hope Men's Ministry
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