Isaiah 55:12 You will go out in joy and be lead forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

 

Oh how many times the enemy has talked us in to walking down the wrong path and there we are with no Peace….blaming God.  You are about to read the true story.  The one you will want to hear before taking that next step.

Let’s start with the good stuff….oh, who am I kidding, it’s all good stuff.

Sometimes we praise God (clap our hands) in the uncomfortable places because we know comfort is not our measure of Peace.  We’ve been down that road before.  Comfort or discomfort can be a feeling or emotion brought on by a fallacy (a mistaken belief, faulty reasoning, unsound argument). I know it’s hard to accept when we’re wrong, but this is where we can get caught in the trap. Peace is a gift that transcends and transforms any circumstance for which God has called us. It’s sort of the boat that Truth rides in on. Peace gives us courage to put on our armor, to take the step when our feelings and everyone around us says….well, you know what “they” say. Remember, we don’t fight against flesh and blood, so you can stop being angry at your neighbor and focus your righteous anger on your true enemy, Satan. He speaks in all things lacking – in truth, faith, Word from God…all things…well, obvious, scattered and disoriented.  God is strategic, faith focused and love driven.

and then there are times…..

Sometimes God withholds peace to help us realize we are not where we need to be or headed down the right path.  A lack of peace looks something like noticing signs that alert you to a dessert coming up and knowing you have no gas or water on hand.  NO PEACE….BACK UP AND RETURN TO YOUR NEAREST FILLING STATION.

God is so amazing, He creates a fire wall of hesitation (i.e. lack of peace) at the entrance upon the forbidden path.  Peace is our guide and friend; a confidant in times of pursuit or times of waiting.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

He will provide Peace as you wait for your promise; as an indicator that you are on the right path or rest stop to your promise.

His Peace is heavenly Provision.  We need not look around for our provision when He has given us peace.  Peace is the provision.  And it is sufficient.  HE is sufficient.

Sometimes the perfect will of God will lead us to a place where we had rather not be.  In that Place, He will send His Peace as Provision to cover and aid us until the next step is called forth. Just because a path seems uncomfortable or full of chaos does not necessarily mean we were not meant to walk through it.  His Peace is our assurance to step or not to step. Do not allow the way something looks to speak truth to you.  Truth comes form above, not from appearance.

Praise Him for His Peace.  It is a sign that you are in His perfect will and not just His permissive will. (Oswald Chambers wrote a devotional where he mentioned perfect vs permissive will and I just think that is an extremely helpful determination.)

Align your vision with the peace that is unseen as you walk by Faith not by sight.

Praise Him and watch Him move on your behalf.  Stand when He says stand and move forward when He says  move forward…praising Him all the while.

2 Corinthians 5:7

Philippians 4:8

Peace be to you and yours in all your ways and in all your days as you follow and seek Him first and above all things earthly, knowing your reward is found in Him.  He is so worthy of your pursuit.  Amen.