My husband’s job offer was a welcome answer to prayer, allowing him to spend more time with our family. It required a big move though—the third in 7 years. His work had previously taken us to the Middle East and South Africa, and now, with the prospect of returning to England, we felt cautiously excited. In the midst of all the logistics, important decisions, piles of paperwork that had to be completed, and the packing of all our belongings into shipping boxes, we also had an overwhelming sense of God’s “perfect peace.”
Our sense of peace comes under constant attack as the cares of this world threaten to drown out the “still small voice” of our Creator (1 Kings 19:12 NKJV). Throughout Scripture, we’re urged not to be anxious or fearful, but rather to trust in God and His Word (Proverbs 3:5). In our own strength we can try to not feel anxious about the things that weigh heavy on our hearts, and we may actually feel a sense of peace for a time. But it will be fleeting, quickly fading as our circumstances change (John 14:27). God, however, promises to “keep in perfect peace all who trust in [Him], all whose thoughts are fixed on [Him]” (Isaiah 26:3).
This kind of peace only comes as we trust God and have our thoughts fixed on Him (Isaiah 26:3-4). The battle for peace is waged in the mind and our thoughts are a measure of our peace. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. . . . Then you will experience God’s peace” (Philippians 4:6-7). God alone can make the path smooth: “for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough” (Isaiah 26:7).
As we worship God and trust that He enables us to accomplish what He desires, we can truly know His perfect peace (Isaiah 26:12-13).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 14:15-31
More:
Read John 16:33 and consider the peace that Jesus alone can provide.
Next:
Are you living out God’s “perfect peace”? What will allow you to experience more of it?
Gary Shultz on September 15, 2016 at 6:38 am
Hi Ruth, if you’re to take something along, God’s perfect peace would be the best thing, and you’ll want to keep it unpacked throughout the process. Aren’t the words of God comforting? Isaiah’s words to a nation blindly headed for God’s judgement, but then the promise that His arm is not too short, the promise of future in Him. You have brought passages seeded throughout the scripture, God will not and does not leave us hopeless even in the stresses of a move. To others it may be a dreaded health issue, loss of a loved one, of a job, or being in what appears to be a hopeless situation. God is along that path and will and wants to offer peace, comfort, and help, often times in that order. His arm can reach anyone any where, and begin the process of His love. So Ruth maybe not the worst thing you will have to endure, but thanks for your attitude and the promise of answered prayer and the peace God will bring. Hopefully the comfort will be finally be flopped in the comfy chair, looking up and saying thank you Lord. Not only did he give you peace, but the strength to move one more time. Thanks Ruth, some people just know how to have fun.
godlove on September 15, 2016 at 9:25 am
How blessed you and your family were Ruth, to experience such peace in the midst of the hectic planning of a big trip, but knowing that your prayers had been answered and with the firm knowledge that after the hectic period passes you would enjoy God’s blessings fully. It’s so much more difficult and requires more Grace from the Spirit to experience that feeling of God’s perfect peace right in the middle of the storms of life, through the ups and the inevitable downs. That’s why for me it is always so important to commit every situation into our Almighty Father’s Hands, trusting that when I put Him in control, I am allowing Him to have His way in my life. So I free myself of the stress of life in this world by putting God in the driver’s seat and letting Him take charge. The view is much better from the passenger’s seat and the journey is more enjoyable! Thank you for this devotional. Blessings to all.
porbeagles4life on September 15, 2016 at 9:46 am
I am definitely not feeling God’s perfect peace. I am tired of struggling. I pray and I pray and I pray. Really? God wants me to suffer like this?
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on September 15, 2016 at 11:23 am
hi porbeagles4life. A sense of God’s peace does not mean that our circumstances are great. Peace is a great indicator of God’s presence with us in a situation He wants us to persevere through however. In this broken world, Jesus said: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). If I don’t have a sense of God’s peace, I usually do a bit of a self-check first.. I go back to the moment I lost my peace, what did I do, what did I say, what did I commit to etc. that’s left me with a lack of peace? I ask God to show me why I don’t have peace and when the Holy Spirit brings something to mind, whether it’s an attitude or a decision I’ve made, or whatever, I bring it before God, do what I can to make it right with God and with another person if that’s what it involves and then ask Him to give me His perfect peace. Circumstances may not change, but my prayer for you is that “you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). I’m praying for you porbeagles4life.
Tom Felten on September 15, 2016 at 11:57 am
Good thoughts, Ruth. Porbeagles4life, a verse that has helped me come through challenging times and experience God’s peace to a greater extent is Psalm 55:22. May you give your burdens to Jesus today.
hsnpoor on September 15, 2016 at 12:48 pm
porbeagles (sounds like you may be a dog-lover; so am I), I’m so sorry that you’re struggling and not feeling God’s peace in and upon your life. I’m sure you know that you are not alone when it comes to life struggles; we all have them to one extent or another. God sometimes allows struggles & trials in our life to break, shape, mold & prune us into the image of His Son. In John 16:33, Jesus says “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Wherever you find yourself, guess what? THERE you are and God knows exactly where you are and HE has a purpose and plan for you right there. Instead of looking to be delivered out of your situation, you may want to ask God why you are there and what he would have you do there. You say you pray, pray, pray and I have to tell you that sounds like a very one-sided conversation. At some point, we must stop and listen for and to a response from God to our prayers. God does not waste our pain and suffering. Every bit is used to and for HIS glory. And never, ever forget that our sufferings are bounded by God’s love and care for us. So, wherever we find ourselves, know that God is doing something to us, through us or for us. And some of His greatest work in us is painful. Think Mary giving birth to the Messiah in a stable. God Bless you and keep you in peace, porbeagles.
radiokilla on September 15, 2016 at 10:39 am
Our sense of peace comes under constant attack as the cares of this world threaten to drown out the “still small voice” of our Creator.
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on September 15, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Hi there. My circumstances actually got a whole lot worse before they got better – in my eyes anyway. My husband had to start his new job in London but immigration issues prevented our children and me from joining him for nine months. Living as a single mom, with my husband thousands of miles away left me feeling heartbroken many times and yet, through it all, I still had an overwhelming sense that God was with me – with all of us – through it all. Looking back now, I know that only God could have given us His peace during that challenging time. I just knew that God was somehow going to bring good out of what was an awful situation. Trusting Him, regardless, brings a sense of peace.