Don't Lose Your Peace

on
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You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You... 
Isa.26:3

One of the greatest promises in the Bible is, 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.' Who are you trusting to solve the problem, God or yourself? You need to live by the principle 'Do your best, then let God do the rest.' Too many of us have the idea that it's wrong to enjoy ourselves while we have problems. We grow up believing that if we can't do anything else, the least we can do is worry, act stressed out and be miserable. The Bible addresses this: 'Do not [for a moment] be frightened...for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign...from God' (Philippians 1:28 AMP). This Scripture teaches us that when adversity comes (and it will) we must stay in peace.

Satan doesn't know what to do with us when he can't get us upset; we've taken a powerful weapon out of his hands. 'For such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a...sign...from God.' Keeping your peace doesn't exempt you from life's difficulties, it just allows God to have the last word. By trusting Him completely you are no longer at the mercy of circumstances, other people, or your own emotions and limitations. Somebody quipped, 'In times like these it's helpful to remember that there have always been times like these.' The question is not will trouble come, but how will you handle it? The writer to the Hebrews says, '...We which have believed do enter into rest...' (Hebrews 4:3). When things go wrong do what God leads you to do, then rest in Him and watch Him work on your behalf!

Used with permission from
UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Comments

A Bit of the Blarney said…
I like the phrase regarding the devil not knowing what to do when we are happy and he can't make us man!! Love it!!! Cathy
28 July 2009 at 00:01
Anonymous said…
The thing that strikes me about these truths is that it is so important to cultivate our responses, to practice checking our responses to the small-to-medium irritations/trials. Making this a habit is so important in shaping our patterns for the big trials.

Re: blog comments, there are some really charming streets in our town. Actually, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, our little city was dubbed "Little London!" The blue skies are God's handiwork and every day is a brand new canvas!
28 July 2009 at 01:42
Wanda said…
Very powerful Pastor Mike...

Love the line about the devil getting upset when he can't upset us.


A lifestyle of peace....that's what the Spirit filled life feels like no matter what the circumstances.

Thanks Mike....

Wanda
28 July 2009 at 06:02
Pietro Brosio said…
Do your best, then let God do the rest. I think when we have problems in our life this is the basic principle. So true.
28 July 2009 at 06:36
Regina said…
Thanks for sharing. Beautiful message.
29 July 2009 at 08:34
Steve said…
Another excellent word....
29 July 2009 at 20:29
EcoRover said…
While I love the calls for peace and love in the psalms and new testament, I also identify with the kick-ass "vanquish your enemies" position of the o.t. and the rare moment when Christ drops the Ghandi/MLK approach to go off on the moneylenders in the temple...
30 July 2009 at 22:08
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