Too often we continue to try and overcome the world on our own. We cannot accomplish this. The good news however is that we do not need to try because He who lives inside of me is greater than he who lives in this world. Jesus already overcame this world through His death and resurrection. Will we have trials and sorrows? Absolutely, because we live in a fallen world. What are they though but a glimmer in the expanse of eternity? The devil sells us on a temporal mindset where everything is weighed against the 80 years or so we get on this planet. God however wants us to develop an eternal perspective where we weigh everything in light of eternity. We have that liberating power through the gift of the Everlasting Father.
Lastly, Jesus Christ, who lives in us, is the Prince of Peace. The most elusive concept in all humanity has always been peace. If you polled everyone on the planet, I would guess peace would be the number one things people felt they lacked and truly wanted. The peace the world sells can be fleeting beloved. Vacations are designed to impart peace but they end. Relationships might provide temporary peace but at some point the honeymoon is over. The peace the world sells can also be nothing more than a lie. There is no peace at the bottom of a bottle. Or in a prescription. Or with illegal drugs. Changing your state of mind does not solve your peace problem. Disguising your symptoms does not solve your peace problem. Only the Prince of Peace can solve your peace problem. Let's take a look at the recipe for the peace of God in our lives:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. -- Philippians 4: 5-9 (NIV)
The first part of these verses is a formula for us to follow to experience the transcendent peace of God in our lives. Whatever it is that might be tempting us to worry or fret in the slightest -- turn it over to God in prayer that is bathed in thanksgiving. The truth of the matter is we often fall into despair because we forget everything God has already done in our lives. Elijah had just seen the 450 prophets of Baal slain by God when he decided he couldn't take anymore of the threats of Jezebel so he asked God to take his life! I am always astounded when I read the Gospel account of the second miraculous feeding. I am stunned because the reaction of the disciples remains the same even though they had just seen the previous miraculous feeding! We see in the second half of these verses that the other component to thankful prayer is mindful focus. When we are not praying -- what do we choose to focus on? It is the thinking about our problems that breeds the anxiety and uncertainty. When the shepherd boy David said he was willing to face the nine foot tall Goliath what was his rationale? He had seen the Lord deliver the lion and bear into his hands so why should the giant be any different? They tried to dress him in Saul's armor and weapons but David just took what he knew -- his slingshot. Why? Because David realized that he did not matter - only God did. If all David knew how to handle was a fly swatter than God would have slain Goliath through David and his fly swatter. Sound silly? Remember Samson killed 1000 men with a donkey jawbone. Nothing is impossible with God!
When you realize that and focus only on Him and how good He is then you will feel His peace come over you in your life. We have peace because He is a wonderful counselor, guiding us through this life with His Word and that still small voice inside of us. We have peace because He is the Mighty God who can overcome any enemy we might ever face and give us the victory handily. We have peace because we no longer have to worry about what happens when we die -- the Everlasting Father has assured us of eternal life NOW. We have peace because He is the Prince of Peace and as long as our thoughts are on Him and our prayers remind us of everything He has already done, then His transcendent peace will cover our lives. What a bounty of Christmas presents we have received from God beloved. Have you opened all of these yet in your life? Don't leave them under the tree. God was born this day but He died a death we deserved to purchase these gifts for us. Open them today. Merry Christmas!
Reverend Anthony Wade -- 12/24/12
