Daily Devotional

We live in a time of a lot of uncertainty.  There is a big political divide, a faltering global economy, a stock market that is up and down trying to find direction, along with terrorism and wars in several parts of our world.  All of this makes for uneasiness to say the least.  So how can we find peace in such a troubled world?  

I know that when I focus on the problems, whether personal, national or global, they seem so large.  When my focus is on the wrong things, I view God as being too small or powerless to take care of the things that trouble me.  This is an indicator that I need to refocus and put things in their proper place.  I need to see God as bigger than anything this world or I will face.  As I see God from a Scriptural perspective it changes everything.  When I worship Him for Who He is, everything else pales into insignificance.  I can cry out to Him for help when I am in distress, knowing that He has always been there for me.  I can thank Him for meeting my past needs, while committing my current problems to Him.  As I do these things, I can experience God’s peace.    

So, the next time our world or our life is in turmoil, God will provide a peace that surpasses all understanding.  This peace is an antidote to our worry and stress.  When the world would be panicking and others are frantic, God gives calmness amidst the storms of life.  It is a peace that only He can give, and it is a peace that only His children can experience.  

This peace is a sense of rest and contentment.  Experiencing God’s peace does not mean the absence of trials on the outside.  It does mean that God gives us a quiet confidence within, regardless of circumstances, people, or things.  We have complete trust in God even though we don’t understand why.  God’s peace goes beyond human reasoning so that when others are disturbed by the events of life, we have a confidence that God is in control.  Humanly, we want to bring matters into our own control but instead we trust God to work out all the details.  This confidence produces a trust …even when it does not seem rational.  We have perfect peace in giving the situation/problem/need to God to do what is best.  We are then able to rest in a trusting relationship with the Lord.

Prayer:  Lord, when the stress and pressures of life seem overwhelming, help me to trust You.  I want to stop trying to control my world and give that all to You.  Keep my focus on You, so that I see how great You are.  You are the Creator of all things, and You hold everything together.  Thank You for being my God and Savior!  Amen

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.