Blog by Sarah Hummel
We know, JESUS CAME TO BRING PEACE ON EARTH. Remember THE ANGELS sang about that at His birth? Isaiah 9:6 says that He is the “prince of peace”.
Romans 14:17 tells us that “the Kingdom of God”, which is where we can choose to live right now, “is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
There are an incredible amount of SCRIPTURES IN THE BIBLE about Jesus and the Holy Spirit bringing PEACE. It is important because WE LIVE IN A FALLEN WORLD. Before Jesus went to be crucified, He was talking to His disciples about WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
John 16:33 says He told them, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me, Here on Earth you will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart, because I have overcome the world”
He was WARNING THEM IN ADVANCE! This world is tough! Hold on to what I’ve told you – keep the faith – HAVE PEACE IN ME!, says the Lord.
I’ve noticed that God WANTS TO USE THE BATTLES WE’VE FOUGHT and the lessons we’ve learned in them to give us peace and victory in the NEXT BATTLE.
Because of the battles I’ve walked, I now have my TOOLS. I know how to get in God’s presence. I know how to trust Him because He BROUGHT ME OUT OF THE LAST THING IN PEACE.
I know the promise of Romans 8:28, says that God is good and He works all things out for the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to His purpose.
So WHERE DO WE START? HOW DO WE GET THIS PEACE? How do we practically get rid of FEAR?
I John 4:18 tells us “perfect love casts out fear.”
I think it all starts with the understanding that God loves us. He TRULY LOVES YOU and He truly CREATED YOU ON PURPOSE.
Our ability to rely on God and take hold of His peace is to first understand this reality of love. It’s a very simple truth and it’s backed up in scripture numerous times.
1 John 4:9-11 “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”
Why does God love us so much? Because God IS LOVE! And because He made us. The Bible talks about how He KNIT US TOGETHER in our mother’s womb – He knows the number of HAIRS on our head. Not only does He LOVE us – and He CREATED us, and He KNOWS us. But He created a PURPOSE for us.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “run the race that’s been set before us”.
We all have a race. We are all uniquely designed to run our race. The way I look, the way I was raised, the experiences I’ve had, the talents I was given and have developed, the dreams in my heart – all equip me to fully be who I am called to be and run my race.
If this is true, then God cares very much about my mission being fulfilled. He is going to PROVIDE ME with EVERYTHING I NEED TO FULFILL His purpose. As long as I keep doing what He asked me to do and I DON’T TAKE MYSELF OUT of my race – He’s going to make sure I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.
My favorite verse promising this is
Psalm 138:8 “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands”
When we can make this CONNECTION in our brains – when we know that God loves us, God created us on purpose, for a purpose – when we know that God turns all things for good and He will equip us with all we need to fulfill His purpose in our lives, we can WALK IN PEACE, the PEACE OF GOD.