Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: It Would Take a Miracle . . . To Experience Real Peace
Weekend Music links on iTunes: All to You - Lincoln Brewster, Angels We Have Heard on High, None But Jesus - Hillsong, O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Read: Psalm 23; Psalm 46:10
Think: After spending much of yesterday mopping up our flooded basement, it is nice to see today dawn sunny and dry. The dictionary defines peace as “a state of rest or calm; freedom from annoyance; tranquility”. Today felt like that for a while but each day has its own challenges. Soon, issues began to pile on top of one another. A friend called with news of a strained relationship, I learned of someone whose home was shifted off its foundation by flooding, my back feels stressed by yesterday’s work. If we look at our lives honestly, there is really never a day when we can truly say that we have absolutely no concerns, fears or troubles, or care about someone who has concerns fears and troubles. So the issue becomes what should our reaction be? Each of us has several options at our disposal. At times I’ve indulged in the “poor me” option, sure that no one else could understand what I have to deal with or the “why me” option, asking why I seem to have been singled out to bear such trouble. While these actually can feel good for a while, soothing my sense of self-righteous pity, they are ultimately destructive, pulling me deeper into despair.
As a Christian, I know that I have access to the peace that Jesus promises to us in the midst of our trouble. Stopping to refocus on him, ask for this peace and as Psalm 46:10 says, “be still and know that I am God” is what will calm my soul. But sometimes, I still need help. Like today, my head was beginning to fill up with worry and I knew I was spiraling down. I prayed, but I also did something I learned long ago to do, phone a friend. Just like in the game shows, the counsel of a good friend can be a big help. It can be difficult to do, to admit to worry and fear, but oh so healing. A good friend can point you gently back to God’s promises, pray with you and share your burden. It also thwarts the plan of Satan who desires to keep us isolated from one another and therefore weakened. His lies can be exposed by the counsel of a good friend. I called my friend who listened, gave some sound advice, reminded me of a verse I knew and prayed with me. Then, that peace like a river described in Isaiah 48:10, enveloped my soul.
Do: Your troubles may be big, overwhelming terrors or they may be like mine at present, small annoyances. As you go about your day, pray for God’s peace but also consider calling that person you know will be faithful to give you good counsel and pray with you. We are not meant to do life alone. One of the best gifts we have as Christians is the gift of those who will walk alongside us. I think you will find that fellow believers are happy to pray with you and lift you up.
Pray: God, thank you for those faithful loved ones and friends who will come alongside me and help me find the peace that you offer. You are, however, the best friend I could ever have. Today, again, I accept your peace. As the Bible says, your mercies are new every morning. Amen
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
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