November 14, 2014
Unshakable Peace
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
“I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8, NIV)
Friend to Friend
Susan lived “the good life.” One filled with prosperity and love. For years, she and her husband owned a thriving business that allowed them and their children to be surrounded with beautiful material things. They had a glorious lake home, a lavish boat, and luxury cars. Everything the world counts as gain.
In spite of their earthly wealth, when faced with the truth of the Gospel, Susan and her husband realized that they were spiritually bankrupt and in desperate need of a Savior. Within months of each other, Susan and her husband both accepted Christ and began to thrive in newly found faith.
A few years into faith, Susan was squeezed by difficult circumstances. The family business took a turn for the worse and had to close its doors – leaving many friends and employees jobless. Then the IRS audited her husband. Scary legal ramifications threatened to crush them if large amounts of money were not paid to accommodate accounting debt.
They lost everything.
Financially ruined and emotionally stunned, Susan and her husband were forced to sell all that they owned.
Years later, they are still wading through the deep waters of financial strain. Their debts are far from being forgiven and the economy has grown progressively dim. Through the turmoil, Susan has been learning to trust in God as her Provider.
As she trusts Him, God faithfully fills her with supernatural peace, strength, and joy. She has experienced God’s provision through His Word, through His presence, and through her friends.
When her pantry has been empty, God knew. He sent friends to her home with bags of groceries and gift cards.
When her soul has been discouraged, God knew. He sent reminders of His promises and love through Scripture and through the encouragement of godly women.
Despite the fact that her bank account is still bare and the days are still complicated, Susan considers herself to be wealthier now than ever because she knows the soul-level unshakable peace that is found in Jesus.
As the time of His betrayal and crucifixion approached, Jesus told his disciples that though they would grieve His death, their grief would be turned to joy. He encouraged them to believe all that He said and gave them a compelling promise. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He promised His bewildered disciples that, in Him, they would have peace in the midst of trouble.
And how wonderful to know that His promise is valid for us too.
No matter what you go through, you can experience unshakable peace, and declare, “I will not be shaken!” as the psalmist did in Psalm 16:8. God knows what you have been through and what you are going through. He promises peace to the believer through Jesus Christ.
Part of our unsettled nature is that we try to cling to the things of earth – to the “American way” of living – to the here and now. When we put our trust in things of this world, we give anxiety, fear, jealously, discontentment, greed, and insecurity open access to our lives. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
Instead of finding ways to hold on to what you have, be encouraged today to let go. Let go of what doesn’t matter. Even let go of those things which seem worth your worry.
“So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31-34, NIV)
Seek God first, friend … above and before any earthly thing, large or small. Have faith that He will meet you at your need. God wants us to store up treasures where moth and rust will not destroy.
He wants us to trust Him.
When we do, He promises that we can live with an unshakable peace that passes understanding.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I need your unshakable peace! Please forgive me for placing my trust and hope in things of this earth. As the psalmist David said, “Apart from You, I have no good thing.” Lead my soul to find rest in You and in Your perfect plan for my life.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Psalm 16. Underline your favorite verses and consider committing them to memory.
Are you ready to move forward in God’s unshakable faith today? CLICK HERE to visit my blog and leave a comment that says, “I need God’s unshakable faith!” or “I am re-directing my trust today!” Then have fun encouraging each other in the comments section.
More from the Girlfriends
Ready to trust God on a deeper level? Get a copy of Trusting God, by Girlfriends in God Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, and Mary Southerland. This is the perfect book for individual study or for gathering a group of friends in what we call GiG Groups. With impactful devotions, study questions, journal pages, free on-line video intros, and an index of trust-building Scriptures…this book is a resource you’ll refer to time-and-time again. To order the book, go to Amazon, your favorite Christian bookstore, or for a signed copy, order from Gwen’s store.
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