The Secret of LIfe -- abundant life is God's peace!
TheCambridge Dictionary defines peace as: "freedom from war and violence, especially when people live and work together happily
without disagreements"
The Bible offers a different kind of peace -- Shalom -- which means wholeness, health and balance and wholeness in every aspect of life. This is what peace means in the Bible. Psalm 23 is a perfect illustration of Shalom:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever."
God wants to save us and be with us permanently. That is why He created us! If we have God we have God forever. God already sent Jesus so we could be with Him. What is beyond His capability? Nothing. Nothing but we personally can stop Him from being part of our lives.
"The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert,
his righteousness live in the fertile field.
17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;
its effect will be quietness and confidence forever." Isaiah 32:16-17
In the midst of the chaos, look for the Calm One. We need to be the Calm Ones in this world of Chaos. The ones standing in God's confidence and Quietness.
Don't panic. God's presence, God's assurance, God's promises -- when God maeks a promise He keeps it. He fulfills it. Three examples:
"
1. "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12
2. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1
3. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—" Ephesians 2:8
All these promises are fulfilled in our lives when we say Yes to Jesus; when we take the hand He is offering us; when we say yes we can't do it without Him; when we say Yes we are sinners, You are God and we choose your forgiveness!
God wants us back in the garden hanging out with Him. We have to choose Jesus to get there.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7
God's peace will guard our hearts and minds. This is a promise. Live in this peace. We are the Children of God. We are bought and paid for. We need to be the Beacons of LIght this dark and hopeless world needs. Please be the light!