A Wonderful Life Series, Selected Passages
God is the God of wonders because the entire Bible displays God’s wonderful deeds. For instance, in Psalm 75:1, we are told, “1 We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” NKJV. In Deuteronomy 26:8, the Bible says, “8 So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders.” NKJV. While in Matthew 21, the Bible tells us how Israel’s religious leaders saw Jesus’ wonderful deeds, “15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” NKJV.
Wonders simply mean remarkable work, and when we use this word to refer to God, it is fixed on God’s nature and miracles. It is through His wonders, that He can display His power, His purposes, His character, and His divine will. And one of the wonders of God for believers is peace but we sometimes find it hard to experience.
The Christmas rush is distressful. But it’s not just this season that causes us to be stressed, worried, anxious, or sad, it could be anything from bad news that you don’t expect, health issues, stressful work, managing the home, our kids left in our homeland, our gown up children’s decision-making skills sometimes worry us, or the children themselves worried about their parents’ over reactions. And today, if you are like me, it’s the financial troubles, that are robbing us of peace. Interest rates kept on going higher. And I wish I could tell you, that I have been really good at appropriating peace to myself all the time, but I couldn’t. Sometimes, I crave to experience peace in my heart. So, how do we experience peace according to the Bible?
1. Always remember, God is the giver of peace.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” Galatians 5:22, NKJV.
· Peace is gift from God.
· But just like any fruit, peace needs time to ripen in our hearts to fully experience it.
“16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16, NKJV.
· Peace is associated with God’s presence in us.
· In every negative situation, we can have inner calmness, and experience wholeness.
References to peace in the Bible.
· Peace with God. Galatians 5:22.
· Peace between believers. 1 Thessalonians 5:13.
· Peace with people. Romans 12:18.
· Peace of mind. Philippians 4:7.
2. Casting our anxieties to God will give us peace.
“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 4:6-7, NKJV.
· This feeling of anxiousness is sometimes very difficult to control.
· There is a need for us to surrender it to the Lord, in exchange for a comforted heart.
3. Allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us will give us peace.
“26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:26-27, NKJV.
· Peace is tied up with obedience to the Spirit’s instructions.
· Our own ways usually lead us to troubles.
· God’s peace will make us mentally and emotionally stable so we can do our activities with ease.
4. When Jesus comes again, we will have complete peace.
“25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:25-28, NKJV.
· “Look up”, Jesus will come in the clouds to meet His believers in the cloud and take us to His place.