The Peace of God in Anxious Times

All the news, social media postings, and conversations with family and friends lately seem fraught with anxiety.  Tension levels are high as we here in the US head into Tuesday’s elections.  All of the cares of our country’s future, the protection of our freedoms, and even the dignity of our White House have been pressed onto us to procure with our tiny piece of power– our vote.  Are you longing for peace during all of this anxiety?

A walk alone in a quiets woods;  a cup of tea and a cherished book; drifting in a rowboat on a lovely day these are the sorts of images that I have when I think of peace.  But, these are simply peaceful situations.  Sometimes it is impossible to control all of our outward circumstances.  How can we find peace in a tumultuous time?

God promises peace to his children!

The promises of the peace of God:

There are many promises of peace from God in the Bible.  Here are some very familiar, common verses about the peace of God in the Bible.

Psalm 29:11  “The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.”

The Lord blesses His people with peace.  Peace is a gift from the Lord to those that He calls his own.

 Isaiah 26:3  “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

God’s people experience His peace when they focus their minds on God and place their trust fully in Him.

Isaiah 26:12 “Lord, You will establish peace for us, For You have also done all our works in us.”

Peace of God is established by God… it is his work done for us.

The circumstances of the peace of God:

John 16:33  “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus states here that the peace that He gives is in the midst of  tribulation.  It is not worldly peace, but heavenly peace.

Philippians 4:6-7  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.“

The peace of God comes through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving.

Biblical examples of the peace of God:

The Bible also gives us examples of people of God who showed lives of peace, even in the midst of very anxious political times.

Daniel

Daniel, a Jewish captive in Babylon, was caught up in political intrigue not so very unlike today.  He rose through the governing ranks, serving the king of Babylon while in captivity, until he was one of three governors who reported directly to king Darius himself.  When king Darius wanted to promote Daniel to rule above everyone else, the other governors and rulers began a smear campaign against Daniel. They used the king to enact a law against prayer that was targeted only at removing Daniel from his position of power.

But Daniel prayed anyway, (read HERE about his prayer of Radical Thanksgiving ) and was sentenced to death by lions.  Daniel knew, even as he prayed, about the law condemning him.  His hope and peace were not in this world system.  He did not waver for a minute from doing right before God. Ultimately, God sustained him by sparing his life.  In this situation, God was glorified.

 

Stephen

In Acts Chapter 6, Stephen was speaking with wisdom about Jesus Christ, and doing great signs and wonders to authenticate his message.  When certain men wanted to silence him, they stirred up the people, arrested him, and brought false witnesses against him.  As he sat before the council, was he discouraged?  Was he anxious?  No, he had the face of an angel!  He was kept by God’s peace even during such a stressful time.  By resting in God’s peace, he then went on to deliver a great sermon of condemning truth.  His captors, so enraged by his words, took Stephen outside to stone him.  Even in the midst of his stoning, Stephen looked to God, and prayed for forgiveness for his enemies. In this situation, God was glorified.

Both Daniel and Stephen lived their lives in light of eternity.  Although they both suffered injustice and punishment, they trusted God unto death. By understanding God’s sovereignty over their lives, trusting God, and praying, they maintained peace that surpassed their circumstances.

I do not know what the future holds for our country, or for those of us who follow Jesus Christ.  If you listen to the news, whether liberal or conservative, some dreadful, dire consequence will result if the other candidate is elected.  I can’t tell you that something horrible is not waiting for us on the other side of next Tuesday.  However, I can point you to the everlasting, unfathomable, supernatural PEACE that God offers in his word.  And that peace cannot be taken away, no matter who reigns on Earth.

Bible verses about peace for further reading

 

With Joy,

Kathleen