ICS Daily Devotions
Having Peace With God
Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP) 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.
The Christian life is not free from challenges because we are still living in this world. But we can take comfort because we have the peace of God. The real test of whether we have heard and learned from all the teaching and preaching will be revealed on the day when we are faced with a very difficult situation that will cause us to be anxious. Everything that we have heard and learned lays the foundation for us to face the “perfect storm” of life with the perfect peace of God. We can either be overcome by fear or we will be able to hold steady with God’s peace, guarding our heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
It sounds unreasonable and harsh to ask someone who is bogged down and burdened by something challenging in life not to worry or be anxious. It is more of a loving reminder than a command because peace belongs to us although the devil would attempt to steal it from us through the sifting process or sending tribulation our way to steal the word from our hearts. What is hindering us from experiencing that peace is worry and anxiety. The knowledge of the Word gives us peace, especially when we know that as believers, we have Jesus’ peace and His perfect love casts out all fear.
There are many common questions going on through many people’s minds when they face very challenging circumstances in their lives. “What have I done to bring about this problem in my life?” , “Is God punishing me for something that I have done? “. It is basically asking “Is this how God is looking at me?” or “Is God angry with me?” It is tormenting when we are unsure of God’s love! Praise the Lord that based on His Word, we can be sure of God’s love and how He actually looks at us.
John 14:27 (NKJV) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
It is God’s will for us to have peace in our lives. God’s own peace; that which He Himself possesses has been given to us. Remember, all that our covenant partner possesses belongs to us and peace is one of them. Draw upon His peace when we are troubled and anxious. Rest in His love and faithfulness. God has given us His peace that is different from what the world can give. God’s peace is present even in the midst of a devastating storm in life. Jesus said, “My Peace I give to you”. Remember, Jesus had peace in the midst of the storm, He had peace when the soldiers came to arrest him and He had peace when He was confronted by the religious people. It is a peace that is present in all circumstances!
God’s plan and will for us is to have that peace that He has given us. It is a supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding. It is inexplicable. Peace comes about when we are aware that God is with us. He is in the same boat with us in the midst of life’s perfect storm. He is always there for us. He has given us a comforter, helper and counselor, the Holy Spirit. He helps us in time of need and He is the one who will bring the Scriptures in our remembrance so that we can maintain that peace which can be stolen if we choose to look, think and be worried about it. This peace of God is in proportion to how much we allow the circumstance to affect us.
It is always God’s highest desire to be our God. He would never ever leave us nor forsake us. Our mind will have perfect peace when we stay focused on God by trusting Him rather than be affected by the circumstances. Perfect peace belongs to us!
Sermon Series: God’s Peace
