“Let the peace of Christ (and Jesus—the Prince of Peace) rule in your hearts” Col. 3:15.
Lord Jesus, all week, each day, every hour there’s going to be a lot of competition for our heart’s preoccupation. We will be wooed, wowed, threatened, seduced, busied, distracted … all with the intent of something or someone replacing you as our heart-treasure and allegiance-claimer.
It could be as simple as letting our job define, delight, and/or demean us. The success and love of our children often make unjustified “lordship” claims over our hearts as well. Being concerned for them is one thing; being obsessed with them is idolatrous.
Other heart-suitors include romance fantasies, or the lust for revenge. Then there’s the lure of winning in politics, pickleball, or popularity within our “tribe.” The allure of money-and-more-money is always lurking, and of course who can resist the promises of a wrinkle-free face, a hassle-free life, and a fear-free existence? And the list goes on.
So, Lord Jesus, with palms up—in praise and surrender, we gladly say “Yes!” to you afresh as our heart-sovereign, and to your peace as our heart-ruler. Only you are worthy, Jesus, and only you are trustworthy. Through your finished work, we now have peace with our heavenly Father. Alienation has been replaced with reconciliation, distance with intimacy, judgment with affection. Abba isn’t just “okay” with us, he delights in us.
And, hallelujah, he has given us to you, Jesus. Your desire is for us and your banner over us is love. You rejoice in us as a bridegroom with his young wife, because you have made us your Bride. That’s no mere metaphor; it’s more real and needed than our next breath. We praise, bless, and adore you, Jesus. So Very Amen.