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REFLECTION

Peace in trusting the Lord is the theme for our reflection. Generally, peace is understood as freedom from disturbance or experiencing a time of tranquillity. It is important to understand that peace in Hebrew is shalom and it has a deeper understanding than peace in English. The Shalom or peace of God transcends freedom from disturbance or the absence of war. The peace of God refers to the totality of one’s well-being. Peace includes the serenity of mind and contentment. It encompasses one’s emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. Isaiah once again gives a message of hope to the Israelites concerning God’s deliverance and the assurance of their vindication from the hands of their enemies. Isaiah assures them that those who put their hope in God or trust in Him in turbulent or chaotic times shall experience peace. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock… O LORD, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works” (Isaiah 26:3-4, 12)

Dear friend, we all seek peace which is the totality of our well-being. Many of us toil day and night for our daily bread and for the other basic necessities of life. During a period of economic recession and a high rise in unemployment, how can one find peace? In an era where prices of fuel, goods and services keep increasing exponentially, how can one experience peace? Can a believer find peace when his or her enemies are determined to destroy him or her or always scheming to cause harm to him or her? Beloved in the Lord, the more we try to navigate the aforementioned situations of life the more disturbed, depressed and frustrated we become. It is impossible to find peace in an already troubled mind and it is impossible to find peace in a fearful heart. We can only find peace in a power higher and a person mightier than our problems and challenges in life. We can only find peace in the one who created us, “For in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28), Jesus, knowing the kind of peace we yearn for cannot be experienced or given by mere mortals, assured us that “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27). It is for this reason Isaiah assures us that “You(God) keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3) In other words, to fully experience the peace of God amid the turbulence and challenges of life we need to trust Him every step of the way. Prayer and knowledge of His Word are inevitable in deepening and sustaining our trust in the Lord to continually experience His peace. There are many Christians who desire the peace of God yet they are constantly living in anxiety and do not have time to go to God in prayer and to strengthen their faith by reading and studying His Word. How can you experience the peace of God if you do not believe in the efficacy of prayer and the Word of God? How can you experience the peace of God and smile at the storm if you are unable to put your trust in the Lord? May the Holy Spirit strengthen our faith to enable us experience the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Shalom.

PRAYER

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.” Amen. (Philippians 4:6-7)