Dennis Edwards:
As Christians we have advantage over those of the world because we have been introduced to the Man of Peace - Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, the world and Satan himself can buffet us. Our own neglects, sins, and shortcomings can also affect us negatively. We can end up not having the peace that passes understanding that God has promised in His Word. How, therefore, can we nurture or regain the peace and rest that we need? Let us search God’s Word for the answers.
In the Psalms, we find the verse; “Great peace have they which love Thy law and nothing shall offend them.”[Psalm 119:165] The Lord says through Isaiah, “Thou shall keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Me, because he trusts in Me.”[Isaiah 26:3] Jesus said in Matthew, “Come unto Me all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”[Matthew 11:28-30] In John He says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”[John 14:27] Later Jesus says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”[John 16:33]
Practically, what must we do to have peace or find peace when all that is within us and around us is confusion and uncertainty? The first step is re-establishing our relationship with Jesus if it has been broken or needs strengthening. If we are experiencing lack of peace, we are either being attacked by the enemy of our soul, or our sins and or neglects have led us into a state of spiritual lethargy which is having a toll on our spiritual life. We need to start renewing our inner man. We need to start renewing our mind and bringing our thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. It's probably a good time to pick up the New Testament and reread it, if it has been a long time since we last did so.
Jesus said, “Call upon me and I will answer you.”[Jeremiah 33:3] He said, “You shall seek me and find me when you shall call upon me with all your heart.”[Jeremiah 29:13] We should start with desperate prayer because we know that we need God’s help. We should call upon him with all our heart, mind, body and soul. Jesus said that the first and greatest commandment was to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”[Mark 12:30] We may need to get our priorities re-established. But God promises to answer. My wife finds it helpful to go and walk along the beach early in the morning, pouring out her heart to God in prayer. Whatever works for you, do it!
Apostle James also approaches the subject how to gain the peace we need. He says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace (peace, rest, faith) unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up.”[James 4:6-10] We need to draw nigh to God in prayer. We need to eliminate sin or anything that may be offensive to God in our life. Then we need to fight the good fight of faith by believing that God will answer our prayers and lift us up.
Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians offers the following formular for peace. He says, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice. (He's saying we need to walk in praise.) Be anxious for nothing (or we should not worry or be fearful), 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things be true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good-report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”[Philippians 4:4-8] Here we see the importance of praise, thanksgiving, prayer, along with meditating and bringing our thoughts into captivity to God’s mind. When we do so, He promises to send us “the peace that passes understanding.”
The Bible also instructs us that “faith comes from hearing in the word of God.”[Romans 10:17] I find it helpful to read and study God’s Word constantly. Reading or listening to God's Word helps to keep my mind on His thoughts, and keep the worries and fears to a minimum. Reviewing verses I have memorized also helps. Reading through some of the Psalms, which are powerful prayer boosters, can be a way to combat the enemy, when we are being oppressed and attacked by his lies and fears. We need to remember we are in spiritual warfare, and the enemy of our soul is out to destroy us, if he can. Take up the white hot weapon of the Word of God and resist the devil. He will flee from you.
Apostle James also admonishes us to ask for prayer when we are feeling oppressed or distressed or attacked by the enemy. “Confess your faults one to another, pray one for another that you may be healed.”[James 5:16] One can chase a thousand but two can put ten thousand to flight.[Deuteronomy 32:30] Never be ashamed to ask for prayer when you need it. There is great power in united prayer together. Use it.
I hope these tips will help you overcome in those moments of despair. “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”[Isaiah 59:19] But we must, “Fight the good fight of faith,” [1 Timothy 6:12] and give no place to our adversary.[Ephesians 4:27] Remember, Jesus has already gotten the victory over Satan. Jesus loves us and He's got the victory for us also, if we hold on, and keep fighting!
Originally published October 31, 2013
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