November 29, Sem. Isaac Spangler

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.

Wisdom, a peace-bringer amidst suffering, rests on those who know and love God’s commands. A person of peace blesses those in the midst of suffering and can, through their words and actions, dispel the consternations, fears, and pains of those in the midst of affliction. When in our deepest afflictions, the devil quickly pulls our eyes away from the cross and through fear or pain can steal from our hearts the Words of God’s peace, much like the ravens snatching the seed scattered by our Lord. How we long for someone to bring us God’s peace when we suffer so!

Peace comes with Wisdom. Through our sufferings God teaches us His statutes. Through learning His statutes we receive His peace. Those who bring us peace lift our eyes to the cross; they point us to our Savior who suffers beside us always. The peace-bringers are servants of Wisdom, letter-bringers of our God, and sufferers as are we. Through their sufferings God has taught them His statutes—His suffering with them has healed them. They now lift our eyes in the hope taught them by the Lord, hope in His Word. Both affix their gaze to the cross, the culminated picture of God’s Law. When in suffering seek after Wisdom. Wisdom looks forward to Christ’s birth. Wisdom rejoices in Christ’s life. Wisdom mourns with thanksgiving Christ’s death. Wisdom takes joy in Christ’s resurrection. The Christian sealed by God’s Word suffers not in silence but in songs of thanksgiving.