Peace

Peace is not the absence of problems.
Peace is the presence of God.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
— Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

When the storms of life come (and they will come), we can be filled with panic or we can be filled with peace. Peace is not the absence of problems.

How can we experience peace in the midst of life's storms? First of all, we must remember God is right there with us. "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze" (Isaiah 43:1,2).

The second thing we must do to experience God's peace is to relax in His care. First Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Finally, to experience God's peace we must rely on His control. When things get out of control, we get anxious. The good news is that the things that are out of our control are not beyond God's control. Jeremiah 32:17 says, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."

What is robbing you of peace today? Make this familiar chorus the prayer of your heart:

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.
— "Wonderful Peace" by W.D. Cornell

Taken from The Minister's Little Devotional Book.
Copyright © 1997 by H.B. London Jr. and Stan Toler.
Used by permission of RiverOak Publishing, Tulsa, Okla.
All rights reserved.