Wednesday, December 7, 2022
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
An Unwavering Peace
We equate peace with lack of struggle and pain, but peace is possible in middle of struggle and pain. Jesus knew we would have trials – He told us so. But He also told us that He has overcome, and we can have peace. 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
We know in our hearts that He overcame the world so that we could have this peace, but why don’t we feel this peace that we “know” we are supposed to have? We may feel abandoned or discarded by God in the middle of the struggles. It can be difficult to understand why He allows some things to happen. Our feelings are very real, but we cannot allow them to snuff out the truth of who God really is, and what He has done, and will do for us.
God wants us to voice our concerns to Him rather than walk away from Him. In fact, He loves us so wholeheartedly that He sent His own Son to earth to make a pathway to peace for us. Our sin separates us from God, but with His sacrifice, Jesus made a way for us to have a relationship with Him. He can handle all our emotions. When we are sad, when we are mad, or when we are losing faith, He wants it all. What He does not want is for the painful feelings we have to overwhelm our faith in Him and His goodness. We have to remember the truth over what; we are feeling. It is difficult because our feelings do have value, but we cannot give them the victory over what God can do. Feelings are valid but not always rooted in truth. When we focus on how we feel, we will not find true peace. We can have true peace even when there is a storm in our hearts and the ground is shaking beneath our feet.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
He is good.
He is in control.
He is worthy.
He loves me.
He wants the very best for me.
His promises are true.
Psalm 46:10 tells us one way we can find true peace - He says, Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Our circumstances and our feelings change, sometimes at an alarming rate, but God is always firm and true, unchanging. Our faith in Him cannot be based on our feelings or circumstances and neither can our peace. We can have faith in God and trust Him, knowing that whatever happens, He is in control, He loves us, and wants the best for us.
Are you having trouble finding peace with God today? Maybe no matter where you are, what you are doing, or who you are with aren’t helping. You still have no peace. The only place we can go for peace is to Jesus. Anywhere else we look becomes another dusty road in the wilderness. Fortunately, at the end of every dusty wilderness road He is waiting to give us what we are seeking. He is peace. He gave us the gift of being able to have a relationship with a holy God which provides us peace. He is the prince of peace.
