Weekly Overview:
One of the most powerful marks of a believer is transcendent peace. This world offers us no reason to be peaceful. It offers us no reason to be without stress, burdens, cares, and total frustration. But we serve a God who offers us peace in the midst of any circumstance. We serve a God in whom all true peace finds its source. May you discover the heart of your heavenly Father to bring you peace this week.
Scripture:“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Devotional:
We serve a God who is the author, giver, and sustainer of peace. Isaiah 9:6 prophesied about Christ by saying, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In order for us to fully grasp and live with the peace promised to us in Scripture, we must first understand the peaceful nature of our God.
The pages of Scripture are filled with declarations about God’s peaceful nature and desire for peace on the earth. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” Romans 14:17 says,“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” And Philippians 4:9 says,“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
God longs to bring us peace as his children. He longs to make us like himself in that we would have peace in the midst of any circumstance. Nothing robs God of his peace. Nothing can take it away. Peace is within the very nature of our Creator. And when we come to him, open our heart, and receive his presence we naturally become like him. Seeking true peace is synonymous with seeking the presence of God because he is peace.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” What it takes for us to have peace “at all times in every way” is to simply fellowship with “the Lord of peace.” When we meet with God we position ourselves to receive all the abundant life he has to give. In encountering a peaceful God the weight of the world seems to lift off. In discovering his unconditional love the stress of continually seeking love from others falls away.
We serve a God who has peace for us right now. We can cast all our cares and burdens on his shoulders. He can handle all the cares of the world because he is Lord of them all. Take time to meet with the God of peace today and receive the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Guided Prayer:
1. Meditate on the peaceful nature of God. Allow Scripture to reorient your understanding of who God is and how he feels about you.
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
2. Where are you without peace today? What situation, person, or concern is robbing you of peace?
3. Receive the presence of God and the peace that comes with encountering your heavenly Father’s heart. Cast your cares on his shoulders and receive the peace that comes from trusting in the goodness, nearness, capability, and availability of God.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Oftentimes peace comes by choice. The things of this world affect us wrongly when we view them apart from a heavenly perspective. Paul writes in Philippians 3:8, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Don’t allow the stresses of this life to rob you of a heavenly peace found in trusting God. Take heart that God will bring you peace and joy in the midst of any circumstance if you allow him to. May Romans 15:33 serve as a benediction and peaceful foundation for the rest of your day today: “May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
Extended Reading: John 16
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