BLESSED WITH THE PEACE OF GOD
October 16, 2015 at 1:20 am,
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Blessed with the Peace of God. Part 1 of ??? Parts!Does God drop peace on us from the granaries of Heaven? Are there conditions for walking in the peace of God? Can anyone actually rob us of our peace? Can the peace that God gives fluctuate, or is it constant? Can it be destroyed? Can you fake being peaceful? Why do some of God's children give place to misery and fretfulness when things go awry?
Can we maintain peace under difficult and stressful situations? Does God expect it of us? Well, let's call my friend Job. He was suddenly thrown into a very difficult situation to say the least and interestingly enough the very day it happened someone sent him the following quotation, saying that they were impressed to do so.
It was indeed a preparatory message. My friend was not discomfited, but remained calm in God. Here is the quote:
"None who receive God’s word are exempt from difficulty and trial; but when affliction comes, the true Christian does not become restless, distrustful, or despondent. Though we can not see the definite outcome of affairs, or discern the purpose of God’s providences, we are not to cast away our confidence. Remembering the tender mercies of the Lord, we should cast our care upon Him, and with patience wait for His salvation. – {COL 60.4}l
In other words when the tests of life come, however they are manifested, we should not fall to pieces but remain in peace. Peace and worry are strange bed fellows. Yet some folk would seem to suggest that there can be some alliance between them.
Aeons ago one of my colleagues said: "Nola could get long with de devil heself."LOL!! Not that I would have a desire to be in cohoots with the enemy of our souls! But most folk who know me well, consider me to be a peaceful person. I really do not like noise, strife and conflict.
But the peace of God is more than about having a peaceful personality because some persons are peaceful as long as you do not step on their toes. The peace of God is different and is not merely skin deep. You cannot give yourself the peace of God. It is a gift. And you need to be positioned to receive it. While God loves us unconditionally, his gifts to us are conditional.
The peace of God is available to all Christians, at all times, under all circumstances. God was never a " Scrooge" doling out His bounties with a mean hand. I saw the peace of God in operation in one of His children a few years ago when we lost a dear family member. His wife walked through that entire period of his illness, degeneration and final passing with nothing less than the peace of God. She kept up with doing her duties at work, while running up and down to the hospital.
I never quite told her but I admired so much her demeanor and quietness in God. It was no doubt a very painful experience that I could never fathom but she was blessed with the peace of God throughout.
So, how do we get this peace and how can it be manifested in our lives? Will leave that discussion for the next post. We will be satisfied with the morsel for today.
Have a peacefully powerful day!!!
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace because he trusteth in thee. Isa 26:3