Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5b)When the night lifts from the sky and the sorrow from our hearts, He remains faithful. When we trust Him with every anxious thought, He has promised His peace, one that is far beyond our horizons.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Did you know that Jesus not only commands us to give thanks, but that He also gave thanks Himself? He thanked God for bread, before He fed the five thousand and even more amazingly, when He gave it to the disciples at the Last Supper. Jesus, knowing that everyone would run away, and that Judas would betray Him, still gave thanks. It strikes me that the anxious thoughts, problems and struggles that frustrate and keep me awake at night are nowhere near what Jesus faced. And yet in the middle of it all He was thankful. I am learning that when I let go of circumstances that are way beyond my control and trust them into the hands of God a miracle happens. The peace of God that is way beyond my understanding comes to keep and guard my mind in Christ Jesus. I may not see the answer to my prayers today or in the way I hoped, but God will be honored, I will be guided in the way He wants and in the end His blessing will be more than worth it all!
And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NKJV
Here in Florida, from late Fall to late Spring we have month after month of sunny, generally warm and tranquil weather. But on the first of June, hurricane season begins. For those of us who have lived here awhile that means stocking up on batteries, water and keeping the car filled with gas. We do this, not because we live in terror, but because we know that preparedness is our best friend when a storm heads our way. In that same way God offers peace, beginning at the manger in Bethlehem
We need this peace, like the deer who the Psalmist says, is thirsting for water. What a wonderful thing here to find Paul describing God’s peace as the gift that guards our hearts and minds. Just as we prepare for hurricane conditions, so this peace does not spare us from storms but rather it prepares us for them. It is not fragile or delicate. Instead God’s peace is powerful, fearless, and able to guard anyone who dares to seek for God, like the deer seeking water, the wise men following the star and the shepherds running from their fields to see the Savior in the manger. Because of the cross this peace can be yours. It is God’s gift to everyone who believes, who receives His Son as Lord and Savior and who seeks Him with all their heart!
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