Memorise: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Read: Philippians 4:4-8, 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 23:28-25:30, Proverbs 25:15-28
MESSAGE
We
can know all the facts about God’s provisions, but if emotions do not
support our knowledge, we will not be able to act upon what we know to
be true. The peace of God applies a balm of inner serenity to our
emotions. If you have the peace of God, you will feel at peace in mind
and heart – the total inner person. All of us know what it is like to
lack inner peace. Some crisis comes into our lives – some worry, some
danger - and a turbulent storm rages within. Many people seek peace
through tranquilizers, depressants, and other drugs. Others turn to
illicit drugs or alcohol. Some try pseudo-religious movements such as
transcendental meditation to find a solution for their lack of peace.
Philippians 4:6-7 says:
“Do
not be careful for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto
God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”
How
does the believer walk in the shoes of peace? Philippians 4:6-7 reminds
us that it is through prayer. Time alone with God in thankful,
prayerful petition is the most effective inner tranquilizer. There is no
solution to inner disquiet as effective as prayer. It always works. The
peace of God transcends all understanding. That means the peace of God
is above and beyond what we understand. It is more than we really need
to see us through.
The
next time you sense a great inner shaking or even just a slight inner
disquiet, try prayer. Shut yourself away for thirty minutes or an hour
alone with God. Use doctrinal praying. Pray back to God the truth of
being “in Christ,” inseparably united with Christ in all of His person
and work. Pray through your understanding of the Holy Spirit. Pray on
each part of the believer’s armor. Thank the Lord for all of His grace
and goodness. Tell Him about your anxieties and concerns. God will
intervene to change things. It may be so gradual, you will scarcely know
how or when it happens, but when you finish, you will discover the
peace of God within your emotions. A quiet inner serenity and calm
reigns even though the storm may still rage around you. I know that to
be true both by experience and by the Word of God. In fact, if you are
practicing this kind of praying regularly, you will discover the peace
of God already there before the crisis comes.
The
Scriptures are utterly practical and workable. The Bible works when we
use its promises in every circumstance of life. Have you ever considered
that your lack of inner peace may be God’s way of calling you to
prayer? We have many marvellous electronic gadgets available to us
today. A lack of inner peace could be God’s beeper signals to you. God
may be calling you for an audience with Himself. He wants fellowship
with you, and in the process He will restore to you that peace that
transcends all understanding.
Prayer Point
Father, let your peace like a river flow over my life today in Jesus’ name.
