The Peace that Passes all Understanding
IT’S WORTH CONSIDERING
Happy New Year! May 2013 bring you joy, fulfillment, and a closer walk with God. One thing we can be certain of is that difficulties await us, so let’s decide right now to approach them in a way that will result in the peace that passes all understanding. The more I have experienced difficulties in my own life, the more I have seen God showing me how this kind of peace is possible, even when life seems to be falling apart. For most of us, our first reaction is to try to change our situation. We think the bad things in life can’t be from God, so we try to remove them. Eventually, we discover that they are, indeed, from God, and He has a plan and purpose for everything that happens to us. Eventually, we learn that He will take us through as many trials as it takes until we learn to be at peace, no matter what happens.

The account of Daniel and the lion’s den (Daniel Chapter 6) is a perfect example. When the commissioners and satraps became jealous of Daniel’s success and ability, they convinced Darius, the king of the Medes and Persians, to establish a law that if anyone should petition a god or man besides the king, he would be cast into the lion’s den. Daniel boldly continued praying three times a day with his windows open toward Jerusalem. His rivals catch him praying and report him to the king, who is grieved because he cares deeply for Daniel. However, since no law, once established, can be changed, he has no option but to throw Daniel to the lions, saying, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.”

We all know how the story ends-Daniel is delivered by God’s angel, who shut the lions’ mouths. However, we often miss an important detail. After throwing Daniel to the lions, the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating, without entertainment, and without sleep. Daniel, on the other hand, spent the night in perfect peace…with the lions.

AS I SEE IT
Yes, I know the Bible never tells us how Daniel slept that night, but I have no doubt that he caught some sweet zees. Maybe he and the lions actually snuggled up to each other. My point is that the king spent the night in all the comfort you could image, but he had no peace. Daniel was in the middle of one of the most terrifying situations imaginable, but he wasn’t freakin’ out. How could he do that? He knew the God he served. I mean he really knew Him. He had previously determined that he would not compromise in his devotion and obedience to his God. He knew his God cared deeply for him and would always be there for him, no matter what.

What are you going through these days? Can you see God’s hand in it? If not, look closer. Do you find yourself fretting and worrying? If you do, it’s likely the UNKNOWNS you can’t control that have you all bent out of shape. Why not cast your cares on the one who has everything totally under control? Vance Havner once quipped, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.” On the other hand, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee (Isaiah 26:3).

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