Read His Words Before Ours!
Leviticus 26:1-14
Psalm 23
2 Chronicles 15
1 Corinthians 14:33
I felt like my mind was on fire.
That’s how I described it to a friend. It wasn’t a physical pain or headache, rather it was an emotional or spiritual pressure that just wouldn’t let up.
I was in the midst of indecision.
On the brink of a major life change.
And it was killing me.
I could feel the Lord prompting me to leap, to take a chance, to do what I did not want to do and step out on the ledge.
But I resisted Him.
I sat still, in my comfy old digs, unwilling to budge.
So, He set my brain on fire. Figuratively speaking, of course.
“Mary K.,” my friend said softly, “Our God is a God of peace. If you are not experiencing His peace, you need to high-tail it back into His presence.”
As tears of release and uncertainty fell,
I knew she was right.
Later that evening, I told the Lord I would follow His lead and agreed to take the leap. As if wrapped in a gloriously heavy blanket, the fires of indecision were extinguished and my mind was suddenly flooded with God’s incomprehensible peace.
Our God is a God of peace.
Do you believe that?
Do you live as if that is true?
Throughout the pages of Scripture, we see God speak peace to His people.
We see it from the moment of creation, when He creates order out of chaos; purposely, intentionally setting things as they should be.
We see it poured out as a blessing for His people as they abide in His laws. (Leviticus 26:3-6) We see it in the green pastures and still waters David sings about in the Psalms. (Psalms 23:2) We see it promised to those who trust in Him (Isaiah 26:3) and commit to Him with all their heart (2 Chronicles 15:14-15).
His peace comes through righteousness (Isaiah 32:17); not our own, but the righteousness of Christ (Romans 5:1).
His peace is a reminder that we are not alone and have not been abandoned (John 14:27).
And, just as I experienced that day, His peace will wash over us when we cry out to Him honestly, completely, and with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6).
There is nothing God desires more than to be reunited with His creation, in perfect peace.
When sin entered the world and we were separated from God, we became children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), at odds with God and incapable of experiencing His peace.
But through His plan of redemption and our faith in Jesus Christ, The Prince of Peace, we can be called Children of God and be at peace with Him (Galatians 3:26).
Even still, there are times we allow the chaos of the world around us to stir up anxiety within us. There are times our disobedience causes our hearts to be troubled. When this happens we have a gracious Father who is quick to welcome us back under His wing and quiet our fears with his love (Psalm 91:4, Zephaniah 3:17).
He is so faithful!
“Peace I leave with you.
My peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” John 14:27
As I have spent the last year walking in my decision to trust the Lord and step outside of my comfort zone, this is the verse that echoes in my heart on those hard days. What I love most about this verse is Christ telling us He does not give as the world gives.
The world gives but expects something in return. Not Christ.
The world gives out of scarcity, but Christ gives out of abundance.
The world gives to add to your life, Christ gives to bring you life.
My prayer for you,
if life has gone sideways or your mind is on fire,
is that you’ll high-tail it back to the One who loves you
and drink in His peace.
“May the Lord bless you and protect you;
may the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you
may the Lord look with favor on you
and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
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