Living in his peace

The day before Christmas 2020, I woke up that morning with the song “there is nothing like the presence of the Lord.” By William McDowell. I was so thankful to God for every thing that year had brought. Don’t get me wrong, it was challenging but that challenge showed me how faithful our father is. This made me realise that there’s actually nothing like his presence.

Wow! what a year. It is in his presence that we have fullness of joy if not for his presence our testimony will be different.  As I was thinking and pondering on this, the Holy Spirit led me to the Bible verse in the book of Luke chapter 2 verse 14, which says; 

“ Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth, peace to those on whom His favour rests.” ( NIV)

This got me thinking “ Who are those on whom His favour rests?” 

I was reminded of Psalm 91: 1-2 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” ( NIV) 

‭You know, when COVID 19 began creeping into society Psalm 91 was the prayer or should I say the song on everyone’s lips. Christians turned this psalm into a catchphrase  that was repeated over and over again for fear of the unseen enemy. It became a weapon of warfare against the enemy.  However, there is a lot more to this Psalm that David wanted to project. 

The  verses reveals to us that those who dwell in the secret place of the most high ( children who  are of the kingdom of God ) will be the ones who abide under the shadow of his mighty presence. This verse is not saying those who visit because God is not calling his children to visit his presence when we feel like it, he is asking us to position ourselves sit, and stay in his presence daily. These are the ones that are safe and secure in the shadow of the Almighty whose power no enemy can withstand. These are the one who have his favour,  and as a result his peace.   

Peace Is one of the characteristics of God’s kingdom.  Paul writes, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”‭‭ ( Romans‬ ‭14:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ) As children of the kingdom of God we have the assurance of peace no matter what our situation may be. Jesus said to his disciples and that includes us, in the book of John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ( NIV) 

‭‭ 

What a loaded statement! 

‘I do not give you peace as the world gives.’ Jesus claimed.  What type of peace does the world give?  

While I sat and medicated on the world’s “peace” I realised that,  the peace the world gives is momentarily. Momentarily according to the dictionary means, “ for a moment, for a short while.” It means the world’s type of peace is based on incidents or circumstances. This is the peace we have when things are going our way. When we have what we call a good day. This can be called the absence of conflict.  

This worldly peace  is an external peace and can be taken away in a moment e.g. hearing bad news can rob you of peace in the moment or someone saying bad things to you can rob you of peace. This type of peace is fickle and variable it changes based on circumstances. 

So therefore, we need God’s peace. When we have God’s peace “our hearts will not be troubled and we will not be afraid “John 14: 27b. Christ’s peace is the confidence assurance that in any circumstance we do not need to be afraid of the present, the future or any forces internal or external that is at war with us. 

This particular peace moves into our hearts and lives to offer us comfort in place of conflict. It helps us not to yield to fear or to be troubled in our hearts. This peace of God calms  us in every situation and circumstance and gives us the courage and the strength to face challenges that may come our way. This peace can only be found in the secret place, in His presence and it is in His presence that we have His favour. The favour that shows our Father is pleased with us and as a result we are assured of His peace. 

2020 was a time of shaking. For some the best year of their lives, for others the worst. Many people died without knowing the Lord. However, for children of God this shaking is bringing us to greater levels of supernatural power and new levels of peace. 

Last year, may seem to be the most difficult year for a lot of people. From a human perspective, 2021 does not promise to be any better but we must remember that God is in control. He is sovereign over everything. As we journey further into 2021, my prayer is that we will find his peace and rest in it. Paul told Timothy that  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”‭‭  

(2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) 

The sound mind Paul speaks off is a mind under the control of the Holy Spirit. It’s-having a godly thought process rather than giving into fear. Today, let us replace fear with peace. Let us give the Holy Spirit the place in our hearts. It is in resting in the secret place of the most high that our inner world will be stabilised in him and his favour will be ours.