In this chapter of the book, Kay leads us to some incredible verses that show us exactly how to find the peace that we've always wanted.
Read to get started? I know you'll be saying, "Ahhhhh....." by the time we get to know this name of God!
The Lord is Peace - Jehovah-shalom - we first see this name of God used in scripture with Gideon in the book of Judges. I love Gideon! He is not a giant nor does he run with a big strong army. But with God he leads many victories!
Here in Judges 6 - we find Gideon being visited by the angel of the Lord. Gideon was very troubled at the time with his current situation. In fact, listen to this verse and see if you haven't said this same thing to God at one time or another...
Judges 6:13 - 'Then Gideon said to him, O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying 'Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian."
Because of Midian - Gideon and his people had no peace. Midian has stolen their peace - so to speak.
Who has stolen your peace?
Are you wondering if you can get it back?
YES YOU CAN! (read on to see how)
I love this quote from Kay,
"When the hour is dark and the situation desperate, we finally long for God's peace. Then we crave it. Our sanity depends on it. Fear grips up. We grope through the darkness, longing for peace's reassurance that everything will be all right."
When Gideon realized that he had seen the angel of the Lord - face to face - fear gripped him. He was afraid that he must die because of this!!! And then the Lord says this...
"Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die."
Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord is Peace" (Judges 6:23-24)
We can experience true peace when we are in a right relationship with God and God alone.
Okay, so if peace comes from a relationship with God - what exactly do I need to do to maintain a right relationship with God? Kay, gives us several verses to look up and read. We can learn many things about peace & it's connection to relating to God. Let's take a look at just a few.
Leviticus 26:2-6 - Go and read this passage. My favorite part of this passage is this.."I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble."
Wow! Wouldn't it be nice not to "tremble" over the fears in our lives?!!! Peace comes from God and He will remove the danger so that we can truly experience His peace.
Isaiah 26:3 - You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.
Okay - so we can experience peace when we keep our mind focused on the Lord AND trusting in Him alone. Trust & focused attention brings about peace.
Okay just two more....
Psalm 119:165 - Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.
Do you have a love for God's commandments? If so - you will have great peace. I don't know about you - but I don't want just a little peace - I want GREAT PEACE!!!
Finally - I want to close with Philippians 4:8-9. I have an exercise for you to do after you read it through at least once.
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in Me, practice these things; and the God of peace will be with you."
Okay, I want you to make a list with the following words: TRUE, HONORABLE, RIGHT, PURE, LOVELY, GOOD REPUTE (good reputation). Now.... go back and write something from you life that describes these words. (For example: beside PURE - I wrote down the love of my little boy).
Got something beside every word? Good. Now let your mind dwell on these things! Not on the worries of this world - but on these things!!
Now make a second list with the following words: LEARNED, RECEIVED, HEARD, SEEN. And do the same. Write something that you have seen in the Lord beside each word. (For example: I wrote redemption beside RECEIVED).
Got something for every word? Good - now practice these things! And when you dwell and practice all that you've written down... the God of peace will be with you!!!
No matter who or what has stolen your peace - you can get it back! Trust in the Lord, practice & dwell on Him and He will give you peace that surpasses all understanding! (Philippians 4:4-7)
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Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us all! I look forward to praying with and for you as we study God's Word together.