Turn to Daniel 6. Let's learn about peace and Daniel. Then, we'll learn about making peace and how we're out of reach of trouble. And then, I'll share some of my favorite verses that bring me peace. You are a peace maker. We all are.
If I have fear, worry, doubt, or anxiety about anything, if I am not feeling peaceful, I enjoy recognizing that those feelings aren’t from God. How do I know this? It is written. In His Word, God has promised to give me a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. And I know I have that gift. If God’s gonna give you a gift, you probably should take it.
There is tremendous power in peace. When I am at peace internally, I can think more clearly. I can do things better. I’m not rushed. I’m not panicked. When I’m at peace, I can hear that small still voice. I make better decisions. Even my physical body responds to peace.
Daniel 6 tells the story of how the enemies of Daniel got him arrested and thrown into the lions’ den for refusing to stop worshipping God. Let’s read Daniel 6:23, “Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.”
We can believe like Daniel. Daniel’s believing was something like, “God goes before me and He will be with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. I won’t be afraid. I won’t be discouraged.” And no manner of hurt was found on Daniel, because he believed, confessed, and thought like this.
In our lives, God controls the lions. He brings the peace. Everyone expected that the lions would tear Daniel apart, but God closed the mouths of the lions.
A lion has nothing to bite in a believer’s world.
God doesn’t promise that we won’t have challenges, temptations, and threats. We may hear some roars in the background. But God promises to us power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
I may have a really good reason to worry or be anxious about something. But I don’t need to be. That’s my decision. I can choose not to worry about anything, but in everything (every circumstance and situation), I can choose to continue to make my specific requests known to God. How? By prayer and petition with thanksgiving. And what happens? And the peace of God (that peace which reassures my heart, that peace) which transcends all understanding, (that peace which) stands guard over our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (that peace is ours).
I may have a great reason to be unpeaceful about something, but there’s a simple saying that I like to remind myself of. It’s written on my coffee cup. It’s “Let go, and let God.” How can I do this? Well, it is written.
Isaiah 14:10 says to fear not. There is nothing to fear. How can this be? For God is with you. We don’t look around in terror and be dismayed. Because God will strengthen us. God will help us. God holds us up and strengthens us with His victorious right hand of righteousness.
He’s got this. God’s got this. He already has a solution to your problem. He’s already shut the lion's mouth. That’s peaceful to know.
Making Peace
Turn to Matthew 5, and let’s learn about making peace. In a relationship with your friend, spouse, parent, children, coworker, or boss, it’s easy to think, “This person is an idiot, he is so wrong, I need to speak up and tell them, even if it makes a big problem and causes conflict. It’s okay. Because I’m right. They’re wrong.”
But just because they’re wrong, that doesn’t mean I have to fight this battle. My adversary wants me to argue, fight, set the record, and prove that I’m right, all the time, in every situation.
But that’s a hook. And I’m not taking the bait. There’s an adversary, always fishing, but for us, the hook didn’t cast far enough to reach us, we’re out of reach. We’re like fish, floating in peaceful pool of living water, paying no attention to the adversary casting his hooks. Instead of warring with someone, I may want to choose peace. Why? Well, it is written.
Look at Matthew 5:9. Jesus didn’t say, “Blessed are those who are right.” Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” We are the blessed - people enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous—with joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, without any regard to worldly conditions. We are the makers and maintainers of peace, and we shall be called the sons and daughters of God.
In a relationship, sometimes we may want to let the other person think they’re right, even when we know they’re wrong. We have to choose our battles. Wisely. I want to be a better peacemaker. I want to make peace. Because blessed are the peacemakes.
Out of Reach
Turn to Psalms 27. Let’s learn about being out of reach and how that can be peaceful. I have been blessed to take my family on vacation. We’ve been to islands in the Mediterranean sea. On a map, the island seems close. But in reality, on a fast boat, it seems out of reach. When challenges rise up against me, I enjoy reminding myself that God has placed me (and my family, my friends, and our fellowships) out of reach of all that trouble.
David may have felt the same way. David had all kinds of things come against him—people, armies, family, lions. He had many reasons to be worried, upset, and afraid about all the darkness around him. But he said that God is his light and salvation. Read Psalms 27:27, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” There was no one that David needed to fear. No one. God was the strength of his life. Let’s read Psalms 27:5, “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.”
When I find myself in times of trouble, it ain’t Mother Mary that comes to me. It’s God. God will hide us in His shelter. He’ll put us in the secret place of His tent. He will hide us. He will lift us up on a rock. Like an island in the middle of the sea. We will be out of reach.
In times of trouble, remember that God has placed us out of reach. We’re set on a rock, separated, sheltered, and safe.
A Few Favorites
I’d like to share with you a few of my recent favorite verses that make a lot of sense to me in relation to peace.
In Galatians 3:26, it is written that we are children of God. We're in God's family. We are born-again, renewed, and transformed, set apart for His purpose.
God wants the best for me. Why do I know this? It is written. 3 John 2 says that God wishes above all things that we may prosper and be in health physically, just as our soul prospers.
Ephesians 3:20 says God is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.
I don't worry about anything. How? It is written. Philippians 4:6 says to not be anxious or worried about anything.
I try to take everything in stride. Why? It is written. Proverbs 3:5-6 says to trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I am God's habitation. Ephesians 2:22 says, “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
I am God's masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn, transformed, and renewed] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand, so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
Tonight we learned about peace, how no manner of hurt was found on Daniel, making peace, and being out of reach. I encourage you to look up your favorite verses about peace. Now, Go. Live in peace.
Commenti