Contemplative Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 28 (New International Version)

⁵⁸ If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God-…

⁶⁴ Then the LORD will scatter you among all nations…⁶⁵ There the LORD will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. ⁶⁶ You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life.

At this point in the Old Testament, God’s people are about to enter the Promised Land. Moses passes a message from God. Part of the message is a promise of blessings contingent on the people obeying God’s commands.

Given above is part of the threat of curses if the people do not obey God’s commands. Look at these curses:

• an anxious mind
• eyes weary with longing
• a despairing heart
• live in constant suspense
• filled with dread
• never sure of your life

These are terrible. I spend much of my day thinking. The concept of troubled thoughts day and night is dreadful for me.

Contrast this with the promise of peace of mind in the New Testament.

Philippians 4:7 (New International Version)

⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And in one of several passages where Jesus says, “Peace be with you.”

Luke 24:36 (New International Version)

³⁶While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

God promises us peace of mind, peace in our hearts, peace where it really counts. Let us claim that promise each day.