Peace, everyone seems to be searching for peace. Whether it’s through sensuality, drugs, power, or stature, we never find it. It’s an odd way to think about it but it is true. What is one attribute these all bring? They all bring false temporary forms of peace. Followers of Jesus know that true peace is only found through a heartfelt real relationship with Jesus Christ. Why do people believe in “religion”? To have peace for the future and a life after death.
Let’s look deep into the Biblical accounts and trials of the prophets, apostles, and ultimately Jesus to discover what true peace looks like.
The Story of Joseph
Let’s first dive into the Old Testament and take a look into the lives of ordinary guys and gals that God would use to change the world. None other than the story of Joseph, As a young man Joseph’s father Jacob greatly favored Joseph as was stated in Genesis 37:3,
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.”
Jacob’s name was also Israel. As we read Jacob favored Joseph above all his other sons, what a statement aye? We later find out this causes severe division and betrayal by Joseph’s own brothers. In verses 4-5 we find that after Joseph tells his brothers a dream (a dream that interpreted would show Joseph ruling over his brothers) his brothers HATED him all the more. Fast forward to Genesis 37:23 Joseph’s brothers throw their own flesh and blood brother into a pit to have him essentially removed from their lives. Now in a situation like this what would your thoughts be toward God? Maybe your in a situation the seems almost unreal and hard to grasp. One day Joseph is in the blessings of his father Jacob and the next he is being sold to the Ishmaelites.
Through many trials, false accusations, and uncertainty as we read in Genesis 41:37-45 The king of Egypt Pharaoh set Joseph as second in command over everything, that’s right… everything. Genesis 41:44 read this,
“Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”
I would highly recommend reading the entire story of Joseph as this article does a small justice to God’s unfailing and sovereign plans for each and every human. From a pit betrayed by his brothers to Egypt’s second in command, how about that for God’s faithfulness. Joseph also saved his family in the end during a severe famine and loved his brothers dearly despite their efforts to erase him from history.
The Story Of Paul
A man imprisoned roughly 3-7 times for spreading the good news of Jesus and doing mighty works. How can someone be of good cheer and have peace in prison? Again beaten, falsely accused, and in the end death. The situation did not stop Paul or any of the disciples from completing the task at hand and finish the good race set before them. Paul writes in Philippians 4:6-7 while under house arrest in Rome,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In Philippians 4:11-13 Paul writes,
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
How amazing it is that if we focus on the process at hand and yield our own desires or thoughts to the hands of Jesus we can have peace and be content in all situations.
Jesus
The author of our Peace and the reason for our Peace. Despite knowing His future Jesus would go in peace to the cross willingly for you and me. He could have fought, He could have called the angels of heaven to wipe this planet out of existence. But He didn’t, He was focused on the bigger picture. That His momentary suffering would yield and eternity with you and I. Now that is real love. So let’s wrap it up with this.
Maybe your in a season of great hardship. Money is tight, the family is a mess, your relationship with God is on the rocks. Maybe your just plain worn out and tired. Remember that God knows what He is doing, the Lord is sovereign in His ways. God doesn’t mess up or have an oops moment. I know it is harder said than done. I have had many sleepless nights tossing and turning begging God for a sign or asking for guidance and receiving ZERO.
I have found with the situations I put myself in Peace, Patience, and Trust go hand in hand. You see in order to have Trust you have to have Peace in whatever situation your in. In order to have Peace you have to have Patience that the Lord Jesus knows what He is doing. Trust me the plan NEVER goes as planned, and that’s ok. If our plans went through the world would be a very different place. God knows best. It is important to remember in these times that satan loves to attack, when your weak and confused. Think of hunting an animal, when is the best time for attack? When they are weak and confused, same in war. Jesus overshadows satan in every way possible.
In my article The Biblical Account Of Job, Trusting Jesus During Hard Times. We see that despite losing his ENTIRE life God stayed faithful and knew what He was doing. Think about these stories we have read about today, Death, Hardship, Mountains so large you and I can’t even imagine. Yet God had a plan. I will leave you with this and it has changed my life. Find peace in the fact that God has a plan for you. It might end in death but if it brings Him more glory, who cares! We have mansions and eternity as Sons and Daughters, Kings and Queens, to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ waiting for us.