Peace for Isaac and Ishmael 12-11-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lord of the stars of the heavens, Lord of the nations of the earth, be Lord of my life this day. … “Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpalah, in the field of Ephron so of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried, with his wife Sarah” (Genesis 25:8-10). Both the sons of Abraham—Isaac and Ishmael, the son of Sarah and the son of Hagar—came together to honor their father at the end of his days. Perhaps the pain and resentment of their broken family were set aside in respect for the one who gave them life. Perhaps this speaks of the healing and reconciliation that can come to all when we turn our hearts to honor our Father who gives us life. And we can only truly know life when we know the One who is Life—the Way, the Truth, and the Life—for “no one comes to the Father, except through (You, Lord Jesus)” (John 14:6). And when we come to know You, we come to know our Father also (v. 14:7). For You and the Father are One (v. 14:11). In You, there is healing and reconciliation for all—even for all the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael. “For in Christ Jesus (we) are all children of God through faith. As many of (us) who were baptized into Christ have clothed (ourselves) with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of (us) are one in Christ Jesus. And if (we) belong to Christ, then (we) are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise…. And because (we) are children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So (we) are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God” (Galatians 3:26-4:7). You are the “Prince of Peace” for Isaac and Ishmael and for all people of all nations and generations (Isaiah 9:6). You alone are our only true Source and only true Hope of true peace. “For in (You) all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through (You) God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of (Your) cross” (Colossians 1:19-20). “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He is our Peace; in His flesh He made both groups into and has broken down the diving wall, that is, the hostility between us… So He came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through Him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:13-18). In Jesus Christ alone, will the sons and daughters of Isaac and Ishmael, of all tribes and tongues and nations of the earth, know the peace our Father longs for us to have by Your Spirit. So come, Lord Jesus, reveal Your truth and Your peace, as we turn our hearts to honor our Father. Then in You, we will be healed and reconciled to God and to one another. There is no other Way. “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved” and by which we may have peace (Acts 4:12). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, tonight I will begin preaching a series of healing revival meetings in public and in churches in the Lahore, Punjab region of Pakistan. Please keep us in your prayers and thank you for joining and sharing with me in the journey of proclaiming the good news of the gospel of the kingdom to the nations. "For the share of the one who goes down into battle shall be the same as the share of the one who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike" (1 Samuel 30:24). Many thanks to our Isaiah 35 Covenant Partners and other supporters who make this ministry possible at home and abroad to the nations. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). Subscribe for free by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order my Books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning, or our other Ministry Resources. They make great Christmas presents! or Contribute: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org