Week 11 Day 3 Devotions
Peace Indeed
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy —think about such things.” Philippians 4:6-8
We all long for peace, sometimes on a grand scale like hoping for world peace, sometimes on a national level, sometimes we long for it in our homes, but many, many people sometimes just long for a deep and abiding inner peace.
Peace is one of God's gifts to us and in John's gospel Jesus says on one occasion that He not only gives His peace to us, but He leaves it with us as well (John 14:27). Worry and anxiety rob us of our peace. Philip Yancey says in one of his books that the command, “do not worry” occurs three hundred and sixty five times in Scripture, once for each day of the year! In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us not to worry about food, drink and clothes.
“Easier said than done” is many people's response!
Commenting on the above verses one commentator says that continual prayer is a safeguard against all anxiety and Paul describes in a compressed sentence here the nature of true prayer. It involves first the attitude of waiting upon God; then it means that in our weakness we ask His help; then it requires that we state clearly what we want from God, believing that He will give it. But along with all this there must be the spirit of thanksgiving. We cannot ask God for new mercies unless we are mindful of those He has given already. The unthankful person cannot pray because he or she has no real sense of the goodness of God.
If you struggle with worry and anxiety why not try the above pattern for prayer. God's peace is for you.
Hallelujah!
Peace be on this house bestowed,
Peace on all that here reside!
Let the unknown peace of God
With the man of peace abide!
Let the Spirit now come down,
Let the blessing now take place! (467)
