Great Is Your Faithfulnessનમૂનો

Faithful to Bring Peace

Have you ever heard the phrase "peace that passes all understanding" ? This perfect description of God's peace comes to us from the pen of Paul the apostle as he wrote to the Philippians in chapter 4, verse 7, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (ESV) Ironically, Paul was writing from one of the darkest moments of his own life as he had been imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. I have personally visited the prison where most scholars and archaeologists believe Paul was being held in the city of Rome. It's essentially a small cave dug into the ground beneath the city streets near the infamous Roman Coliseum. Just steps away from his sewage-infested dungeon, fellow believers on the Lord Jesus Christ were being devoured by wild beasts while cheering coliseum crowds enjoyed the fanfare as though it was an NFL Super Bowl halftime show.

Can you imagine the heartbreak Paul was experiencing? Beyond all the trauma of hearing human beings be killed for sport, and for a cause Paul had given his own life to, his heart was also buried beneath the weight of the churches he and his ministry team had planted. The new believers needed discipleship to face the mounting persecution headed their way. And in this state of grief, agony, and anxiety, Paul wrote about a mind-blowing peace that he possessed, and was promised to those who also claimed allegiance to Christ.

While none of us have likely faced the ultimate test of our faith through persecution that promises death, it's certain you've weathered a few situations in your life where the peace of God seemed impossible to find. You may feel scared, brokenhearted, worried, even angry, and, in a moment of desperation, call on Jesus like Peter did walking across the choppy, stormy waters--"Lord, save me" (Matthew 14:30 ESV).

I've been there, and there are countless situations I could share, as I'm sure you could, as well. Big situations, smaller ones. But in all of them, Jesus showed up. The situation may not have changed for what I considered to be the better outcome. But He was right there with me in it. My friend and missionary Rebecca shared recently of her own experience with God's mind-blowing peace when her son, just 20 years of age, was battling for his life from a rare cancer.

"One of the most impactful encounters with God's faithfulness in my life happened during the final week of our son Wesley’s life. We placed his hospital bed in our bedroom so we were close to him, and the whole family took two-hour shifts through the night with him while the others would try to sleep. It was my turn to sleep and instead I spent a few hours crying out to God on his behalf as I listened to my son struggle to take each breath. At one point I silently and desperately asked God where He was in this. I somehow ended up falling asleep and resting well after that.

The next day we had a ministry leader visit our home and spend time praying with Wesley. He came out of the bedroom and told us (after clarifying that he would not typically say this but felt he needed to), “That room is full of the presence of God and angels ministering to your son.” God answered my most desperate question through the obedience of another person that day! This made the following days much easier for me than they would have been and, at the moment of Wesley’s entrance to Heaven, the pride I felt for my son, knowing he was in God’s presence, exceeded my sorrow."

There's no peace like the peace of God. In fact, Jesus, God's own Son and member of the divine trinity, is known as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Paul wrote again in his letter to the Ephesians that Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). What situation in your life requires a fresh application of God's peace today? You can call on Jesus as He is faithful to provide peace, right when you need it.

Dig a Little Deeper

As God supplies peace to you, purpose to be a carrier of peace. If Christ Himself is peace, when we are fully surrendered and devoted to becoming more like Him, we ourselves will bring peace into chaotic situations. Ask God to grant you an ample supply of peace for a situation that feels out of control right now. Purpose to not allow the enemy of your soul to steal it from you.