Nancy Taylor Tate
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7 KJV.
Another translation words it like this: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT.
There is a peace that surpasses all understanding, that comes not from our circumstances or what is happening all around us, but from the indwelling presence of Christ.
Our inner peace is important and is to be treasured, guarded, and maintained. It can be hard not to react when we see or hear things happening, yet how essential we set aside our own reactions and come to a place of quietness, that we might seek the heart of God instead.
In peace there is healing. From a place of peace, I can more easily find direction. In peace there is quietness and rest. In peace there is victory! As I become peaceful, I can better find my position in Christ, then stand and have a greater impact.
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8 KJV
The Amplified Bible says it like this: “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?”
For us to live this way is our own decision, contingent only on our own hearts and the Lord within. It does not say if people are kind or deserving, we are to behave this way. Who I am is not defined by what others do! I am who I am by the grace of God! And I live to please Him.
Living from an eternal perspective can make it easier at times to deal with the provocations of this life. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison” (TPT).
We live with a present purpose and a future hope. The choices we make to walk in peace may not seem to have much bearing on anything we perceive today, but they are forming who we are and will be in eternity. These choices also have a present impact, perhaps more than we realize at times.
May we be carriers of God’s light; carriers of His peace and presence. May we be ambassadors for healing, for peace and reconciliation. May we do what is right ourselves. May we be merciful toward others. May we walk humbly before God.
The Lord is raising up a people to be carriers of His presence, those who will reflect His light and help bring healing and love to others who are hurting. No matter what happens, may we always lift our hearts upward, that we might be prepared to reach outward, should opportunity come.
“The LORD has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you. You must treat people fairly. You must love others faithfully. And you must be very careful to live the way your God wants you to” Micah 6:8 NIRV.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7 KJV.
As the Williams translation puts it: “Then, through your union with Christ Jesus, the peace of God, that surpasses all human thought, will keep guard over your hearts and thoughts” Philippians 4:7.
Day by day, may He fill us with His peace and love as we turn our hearts upward, seeking His heart, His thoughts, His ways. May we choose the Lord’s blessing! May His blessing rest on our lives.