How can I find peace? That’s a common question. Sometimes there can be such unrest in our hearts. Turmoil, anxiety, fears, desperation, bitterness, despondency and darkness can sometimes sweep over us like a spiritual tsunami. It comes in like a wall, traveling at a very fast speed, and knocks us off our feet, carrying us to places we never intended to go in our minds. Moments, hours, days and weeks when we are overwhelmed and wonder if we will ever be able to get up and walk again spiritually.

Have you looked closely at this verse lately?

(But) now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2Thessalonians 3:16

The Christians in Thessalonica were going through a most difficult time. Just because their circumstances were different from what you are trying to process right now, does not make that beautiful verse any less relevant in 2020. In their time, it was intense persecution for being a Christian. Things were so bleak for them they wondered if they were going through the Tribulation period in the Day of the Lord.  They were not only stressing out over their circumstances; they were confused about eschatological matters. Turmoil, fear, unrest, and confusion were paralyzing them.

Paul writes to clarify some key points of truth for them, but just before he concludes his letter he wrote:

(But) now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2Thessalonians 3:16

The ‘God of Peace’ is a common phrase in the New Testament – but only here do we read the ‘Lord of peace.’ Always, at all times, without interruption and then he adds, in every way or by all means. The message is clear: Paul wants his Christian friends to experience ‘peace’ at all times and by every means available to the Lord. The ‘ways and means’ of the Lord are infinite.

The Lord of Peace is our peace (Ephesians 2:14) and He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He made peace by the blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:20) We have peace with God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

You may be a Christian – but maybe you’re not. If you have never had that conversion moment when you first experienced peace with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) then you have never experienced the peace of God. That should be your priority today.

For Christians, let this post remind you that the Lord is the Fountain and Dispenser of the peace that you are in need of today. His reservoirs never run dry during peak season. His storehouses are never depleted during a famine and His reserves are fully stocked for every exigency. He has every means at His disposal to calm your fears, to settle your heart, to reduce the pressure and to relieve your anxieties. He knows how to quell the storm and to silence the screaming doubts in the depths of your heart. Remember the phrase: peace at all times in every way! The Lord of Peace Himself can do it for you.

Just this morning as I was thinking of the upheaval caused by COVID-19 in the lives of tens of millions around the world, I read another beautiful verse. Yes, it is wonderfully true that Christ is the refuge of our souls and we are in safe-keeping spiritually. But it is also true that we don’t physically live in a protected impenetrable bubble just because we are Christians.

Christian health workers will be exposed to the virus. Christians will lose work. Christian business owners will suffer loss. Many will contract the virus. And the list grows. What could ever calm a Christian’s troubled heart in this turbulence? Enjoy this verse:

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. Psalm 94:19 NASB

What could calm my anxious mind? His consolations could actually delight my soul. Yes, the Lord of peace Himself will give me peace at all times in every way. But I must go to Him or look to Him for that peace. Sometimes, I fail to respond, even when He is drawing near to me.

Child of God, allow Him to come very close to you today. Open yourself up to Him. Read His letter to you. He will pour in His peace. Allow His consolations to delight your soul.

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.

Warmly in Christ
Peter Ramsay

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