Everywhere people are searching for peace.  Amidst the din of quarreling and confusion, fanned by the media, we are assaulted by bitterness and anxiety on every side.  There is little peace in America or in Washington, D.C.  And there is precious little peace in people’s hearts.

Let peace reign.

How do we find peace amidst the clamor?  The apostle Paul urged us to pray.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will keep your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7)

Jesus is our peace.  In fact, before leaving this earth, He gave us His own heavenly peace. He did not want us to fear or worry.

“My peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.”  (John 14:27)

As children of God, His peace belongs to us.  It is His free gift to us.  Only God’s peace will dispel fear and worry, giving us quietness and confidence to go forward.

Our peace is heavenly, of divine origin, not earthly.  Our peace certainly does not come from our circumstances.  Peace does not mean that all our circumstances are rosy and everything is going our way.  Our peace comes from our close personal relationship with our Lord Jesus.  We know Jesus LOVES us and takes good care of us. We choose to trust Him always.

Our peace is not the absence of trouble.  Our peace is security in the midst of turmoil.  We are trusting God at all times to take care of us.  The Lord alone makes us dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).  He is our provider, our protector, our good Shepherd. Read Psalm 23.  He does all things well.  He always has our good in mind.  We have everything we need.

God’s peace is not a warm fuzzy feeling you hope to get when all your problems are solved.  In fact, peace is not a feeling or an emotion.  Feelings are changeable and unreliable.  We cannot afford to allow our feelings to control us.  We must be led by the Spirit of God.  He is the Spirit of Peace.

The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

Our peace is not the lack of problems, but the God given ability to rise above our problems.  We can be calm and confident no matter what is going on around us. We can pray to God and ask His wisdom in overcoming our problems. He will show us what to do.  He will  make the way for us where there seems to be no way.  Next, we surrender all our problems to God and thank Him that He is answering our prayers. We leave our troubles safely in His hands. Then we rest in His peace, knowing He is meeting our every need.

God’s peace is a strong spiritual force that transcends fear and trouble.  Against the tide of this world that tries to overwhelm us, Jesus gives us peace and victory.

Jesus is our Prince of peace.  Release your problems and worries to Him.  Leave them there at His feet.  Receive His peace.  And rise above your circumstances.

Jesus, You are my Prince of peace. Please fix these problems for me, Lord.  Give me wisdom to overcome. Show me what to do.  I surrender all my problems to You.  Thank You for taking them from me.  Thank You for Your peace, which surpasses human understanding.  I rise above my circumstances and rest in Your heavenly peace. May Your peace reign in my heart and all across America, in Jesus’ Name.

 

Adapted from the upcoming book Living in the Glory by Patricia Morris, copyright 2017. All rights reserved.