Can we have peace today?

I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Leviticus‬ ‭26:6‬a ‭ESV‬‬

Promises. 

The Bible is filled with God’s promises.

He is excellent at keeping his promises. 

Are we living in and reflecting his promise of peace?

If worry and fear lull us to sleep at night and wake us in the morning, then no.

Let’s look at how we can receive His restful peace. 

In the above scripture from Leviticus, God literally provided peace in the land. Verse six goes on to explain that beasts and swords will not be a problem for them. He literally protected the people from physical threats to their lives and land.

God, today, can give peace in the middle of stress, worry, and crisis.

But we have to do our part. He won’t force his peace on us.

What are the gifts of peace? Calm. Serenity. A deep knowing that God is in control. I am sure you could come up with your own list. If you do, please share it in the comments. 

When our children rebel or throw a fit, there is no peace until they come into the tiniest bit of agreement that their way was wrong and our way was correct. Hopefully, with their concession of being wrong and willingness to be righted, they are received with love and forgiveness. This is an example of peace.

We can override the peace of God for us. Wanting life to turn out our way is refusing the peace God desires for us. 

Those wants turn into demands. And, dare I say, idols?

There are hardships in our lives. Painful realities we all walk through for a season or a for a lifetime. God’s peace never denies this. His peace provides a bridge with which to carry us through the circumstances, with perhaps a higher view, a deep breath, or to feel the love of our Father as we experience momentary relief from the weight of our worry.

What is standing in the way between our worry and God’s peace? 

Our will. 

Our will can be used to say, “no thank you,” to the priceless gift of peace. 

To live in peace we are to align our will to God’s will.

How do we do that? 

In the New Testament, we see Christ reveal peace in a storm. Jesus was sleeping in a boat when the storm started. Water came up into the boat, unrelenting. His apostles were freaking out. They responded in fear. A normal reaction for people in that situation.

Did they do the right thing? Let’s take a look.

1. Their fear revealed their lack.
2. They turn toward Jesus for help.
3. Jesus helped them.

But Jesus spoke to them before he calmed the storm. Imagine it. The wind is blowing and waves are still throwing water into the boat. He wakes up to their panic, whirling weather, and he asks them a question. “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Matthew 8:26

Did the disciples do the right thing? They turned toward God in the flesh and asked for help. 

We too will be overwhelmed and confused by the chaos around us.

We too can turn toward the one who promises us peace.

Psalm 23:2, talks about laying down in green pastures, provided by God, so we can drink from still water. God’s peace. 

We can exchange our whirling worries, for calm. 

Growing up, perhaps you heard this a lot, ‘obey your parents.’

I discovered, in adulthood, Ephesians chapter six does not stop there, it goes on to say in verse four, ‘fathers do not exasperate your children.’ As parents, we can have expectations of our kids. We get to set rules of our homes, what is allowable and what is not allowable. 

Parents are not to seek their children’s obedience beyond what God Himself would ask of children.

What does exasperation look like? Websters 1828 Dictionary defines it as, “to anger; to irritate to a high degree; to provoke to rage; to exasperate the passion of …resentment.” 

Why am I adding this to a blog post about peace? Great question. 

God does NOT exasperate us. Irritation, anger, and resentment take root when we don’t put our will in line with God’s will.

Can we lay down our burdens today? Like the people in the book of Leviticus and the apostles in the storm at sea, I bet God can give us peace.

Father, thank you for those who have gathered around their computers, laptops, cell phones, and tablets today. If we are feeling exasperated, help us do as the disciples did. 

I am too weak to handle this without you. Help me put down my worries. I accept your rest. I am sorry for not trusting you with this sooner. 

Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”