SOUL AWAKENED TO PEACE
When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Psalm 94:19 (NLT)
If you’ve not been in the valley, you will one day. While we’d prefer life to be only mountaintop experiences, that’s just not reality. And in truth, there’s tremendous formation that takes place in those valleys. It’s in these days (or seasons) of difficulty that we’re forced to confront what we truly believe. We will be disappointed if we place our faith and hope in ourselves. But when we trust in God, there’s comfort, hope and peace.
God loves you. He is for you, not against you. He knows every decision you’ve ever made to deliberately disobey Him. And yet He still chooses to love you. He still extends an invitation to His family. He still longs for relationship with you. Perhaps right now, in this very moment, you’re in a season of doubt. Is God really there? Could He possibly love me? Is there hope?
Yes. Yes. Yes.
The peace that comes from placing your hope in God is unlike any other. Hope, in the biblical sense, is different from the hope that we typically talk about. We hope our team wins or that it doesn’t rain. Biblical hope is a confident assurance that God will do what He has promised. He is faithful, even when we’re not. We can go to Him, even when wrestling with doubts and difficulties. Consider the words of Paul:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then 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 4:6-7 (NLT)
Are you spending more time worrying or praying? Are you spending more time telling your followers online what you need, or God? Are you lamenting your lack or thanking God for how He has provided in the past? Let’s consider our focus—is it on our circumstances or the One who has all authority in heaven and on earth?
APPLICATION: Where do you need to experience God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding? Whatever relationship, situation or circumstance is in your mind right now—take it to God. Even if you’re struggling to believe, take that to Him. Pray what you’ve got and ask the Holy Spirit to meet you in the midst of that.
PRAYER: God, I pray that You would grant me Your peace. Help me to trust You above all else, especially in the midst of the storms of life. Thank You for how You’ve been faithful in the past; help me to trust that You will continue to be faithful in the future. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?