Peace That Passes All Understanding!

Lately I have been trying to really focus on God and allow him to be my peace and strength and to rest in his peace. So many things in this world cause us to not be at peace or have peace in our daily lives. Quite the opposite. We have fears or worries about tomorrow or about our daily struggles that peace is NO where to be found. Sad to say that the phrase, "Rest in Peace or RIP" on grave stones is not even close to the peace that we can have in Jesus. Death is a rest but sadly it is not at all peaceful. The only way to have peace is to have Jesus.

I have been really blessed of late b/c I really feel I have received just what I have asked God for, his peace. Knowing what true peace is brings so much comfort and joy. One verse lately that has been a source of great encouragement has been Isaiah 26: 3-4

3. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

4. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.

I am so thankful to be in His perfect peace b/c I have chosen to keep my mind on Him and b/c I have also decided to Trust in Him (God).

I often ask the Lord to be my strength b/c at times I feel so weak and unable to have the strength physically or motivation to accomplish what I know I need to do. I know that by calling out to the Lord for His strength I can do what ever is asked of me. I feel so confident in God's strength as my assistance in achieving the purpose he has designed me for. It is so wonderful to know that HIS strength is everlasting. God is not a wimp. His strength is continual. He does not grow weary or loose his endurance. I am so thankful for that b/c I do tire and become exhausted through the course of a long day. God is always alert and rearing to go.

I have to add this little story b/c it fits so well. This past Sunday during worship service we began singing some familiar songs which the children knew and started to sing along to. Well we changed to a song somewhat familiar for the children called, "God is Exalted". Well Ezra my 7 yr began to sing, his words were not quite right. He was singing a slightly different version, "God is Exhausted". I was quick to correct his mis-wording and he easily changed his words. I am so glad that our God is not exhausted. ( I have to say that when he first said his slightly different version I kind of chuckled cuz he was so cute. Such an easy mistake to make.) Ezra is learning and one great thing is he loves to sing to the Lord and praise him with singing. Now you gotta love that!

One other thought based on this story in Acts 16 : 16-36

16. Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
17. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.''
18. And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.'' And he came out that very hour.
19. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;
21. "and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.''
22. Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
24. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.
27. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
28. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.''
29. Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30. And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?''
31. So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.''
32. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
34. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
35. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go.''
36. So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.''

What I love about this scripture and story is that Paul and Silas had to have the kind of peace that passes all understanding. To sing praises and worship God while being chained up and having bloody backs from their beatings they received had to be God's strength with in them. I find this story to be so uplifting no matter what situation or struggle I am in. I am so encouraged and challenged b/c I know what Paul and Silas face is far more greater then what I face. If they could praise and worship God in song in prison what more can I do in my situation.

What is even better then that is that through their imprisonment they were able to witness to the jailer and his whole family. How amazing. Immediately after the jailer brought them to his house he fed them and cleaned their wounds. Even in the midst of our hardships God can give us peace and healing comfort.

I hope you find this encouraging. Know that all God wants us to do outside of believing and confessing our sin and living righteous lives, is to wholly trust in him and rest in His peace. My hope is that you either know that peace or find that peace soon. Know that I am praying for all who read this. The only peace worth having is the peace from God that passes all understanding.