To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27.

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord…the Lord…is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind…and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. Proverbs 3:5 AMP.

Our chapter, Galatians 6, is the final chapter of the letter to the Galatian churches. Paul is showing them what truly matters in this life we live. Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone…and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load. The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my own body the brand-marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

In everything Paul is teaching them to be gentle with one another because we can trust Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. It is as we look to God that we find peace even in the midst of the terrible tribulations of this world. Do we think God doesn’t see? Do not be deceived…God is not mocked…for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap…for the one who sows to his own flesh…will from the flesh reap corruption. The deeds of the flesh are indeed evident all around us. They are evident in the hardness of our own hearts turned away from God. How can we be comfortable with the awful violence of this world? How can we begin to understand how any human being could be cruel to another? That is the way of the old. And we are locked in the old right until that blessed moment when we realize what that means for us and those around us. That moment is the blessing of the Holy Spirit speaking truth to our hearts and minds. Come to Me…all you who labor and are heavy laden…and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28. And that rest is the peace of knowing Creator God.

This was so beautiful today from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers: “Your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3. The Spirit of God testifies to and confirms the simple, but almighty, security of the life that “is hidden with Christ in God.” Paul continually brought this out in his New Testament letters. We talk as if living a sanctified life were the most uncertain and insecure thing we could do. Yet it is the most secure thing possible, because it has Almighty God in and behind it. The most dangerous and unsure thing is to try to live without God. For one who is born again, it is easier to live in a right-standing relationship with God than it is to go wrong, provided we heed God’s warnings and “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7). When we think of being delivered from sin, being “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), and “walking in the light,” we picture the peak of a great mountain. We see it as very high and wonderful, but we say, “Oh, I could never live up there!” However, when we do get there through God’s grace, we find it is not a mountain peak at all, but a plateau with plenty of room to live and to grow. “You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip” (Psalm 18:36). When you really see Jesus, I defy you to doubt Him. If you see Him when He says, “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:27), I defy you to worry. It is virtually impossible to doubt when He is there. Every time you are in personal contact with Jesus, His words are real to you. “My peace I give to you” (John 14:27), – a peace which brings an unconstrained confidence and covers you completely, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. “Your life is hidden with Christ in God,” and the peace of Jesus Christ that cannot be disturbed has been imparted to you.”

Words…right up until that moment of great need when you realize there is only One you can call out to for help and understanding. And He is here. Always. And then you realize you need never walk alone ever again. The real journey begins and it takes time with Him. And somewhere along the way with Him, barely noticed but strengthened in understanding, is everything that is needed. A New Creation – which is us in Him and Him in us. He came quietly on that Holy Night and the Father, and the Holy Spirit were with Mary and Joseph. And the angels told the shepherds and they came too, after He was born. Quietly and with complete normality unnoticed by any but those called to experience together the tremendous blessing of Jesus, the Son Himself, lying in a manger. Who of us could have predicted so great a Love unfolding in quiet peace that any family could understand? His living among us and teaching, any family could understand at an elemental level. His death any family could understand as we lose those we love. Oh, but His being raised to Life again…those blessed to witness that…gave hope and that hope has increased to our day and every day until that blessed moment when God will return. And we long for that so that all people can see and experience the difference Creator God IS. He is Truth. He is Love. He is our true Home.