Need the Peace of God?
Imagine our “feet” as representative of our “souls”. When we make wrong emotional choices, it’s like stepping into a mud puddle. We don’t need a full bath (to get saved again) in order to become clean, but we do need to wash our feet (recognize and repent of wrong choices.
* “Jesus said to him, ‘He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet…'”
John 13:10
THE GIFT OF HIS PEACE
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
When I reread this passage recently, I was struck by something I had never seen before. Paul instructs us to stop worrying, go to God with prayer and
supplication, and thank Him for the answer.
** But he never says anything about
getting answers! Paul says nothing about receiving a word of direction,
deliverance, miracles, or healing.
**Instead, he says we receive a gift of the PEACE of God!
God answers all our requests and supplications with the GIFT of His peace:
“Let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus” (v. 6-7).
In other words, God’s first answer to our every prayer and heart-cry is His
peace! All praying people have this one thing in common:
No matter how bad they feel going into their secret closet of prayer, they come out filled with His peace!
God has limited Himself to His own government. This is known as the
providence of God. He does things here and there, preparing people’s hearts
and orchestrating events, but until His providence works out the answer to your prayer, He says, “I am going to give you not what you think you need, but what I know you need—peace of mind and heart!”
Many of us wrestle with the Lord in prayer.
* We petition Him with crying and
tears;
* We pound heaven’s gates;
*We claim every promise.
But as the days,weeks and months go by, we begin to wonder:
* “Why won’t You answer, Lord?
*What is blocking my prayer?
*What have I done to grieve or displease You?”
The fact is, God already has said to us, “Here is My peace that passes all
understanding! Take it and let it rule in your heart while I work out all
things for your good!”
We are to be kept in God’s peace until His promise is worked out by the Holy Spirit!
Hold on to His peace and let it rule and reign in your heart!
(Psalm 107:6-7). Some of you have had this experience. You too were restless; you were uncertain, wandering, hungry, and thirsty for life, but you could never find it. You tried everything. Finally, when you reached the bottom, you cried to the Lord in your trouble.
When you did, He heard you. Not suddenly or instantaneously, but gradually, He began to set you free.
He began to lead you “by a straight way.” God delivers those in this condition by leading them in a straight way. They have been wandering circuitously, deviously; now they start going straight. That is the way described in the Scripture. It is a straight way, right through the middle of life.
God leads them until they find a city to dwell in, until they reach the place of excitement and security.
Isaiah 53:5-6
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me… Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.”
Psalms 139:
I believe this Says “Make me fresh again. Please—Take care of yourself. Be fresh! YOU are an irreplaceable piece in God’s Kingdom work”.
Lord, thank You for hearing my cry for help. Thank You for Your steadfast love, which rescues me from my restless wandering and leads me in the straight way. Thank You for Your Gift of Peace.
Teach me and give me more of Your Peace for Your Glory and my Joy! Amen!