SOUL AWAKENING PEACE
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 (NIV)
Jesus carried the weight of the world on His shoulders, literally and figuratively. You’ll never find someone who was more wrongly accused, betrayed and hurt, and yet His life was marked by peace. You’ll never find someone whose job was more burdensome and demanding as He literally bore the sins of the world on His shoulders as He carried that old wooden cross up the hill to cavalry, yet His life was marked with peace. Jesus had more reason than any person on this earth to be worried or upset, yet He was a non-anxious presence that drew the attention of people all around Him. We’re called to become like Jesus, which means we’re to have the soul- awakening peace of Jesus. This is freeing, but it’s also not easy. It’s freeing because God would never call us to become something we couldn’t by the power of the Spirit. It’s not always easy because life is hard and full of troubles, but the more closely we walk with the Spirit, the more His peace overflows through us.
The early church exploded because people were being persecuted for their faith, yet they were dying with poise. They were dying with peace. How? The verse above says it. God is greater than anything that comes against you. His love is greater than hate. His joy is greater than problems. His gentleness is greater than anger. His self-control is greater than temptation. His peace is greater than fear. It’s not that you won’t face things in your life. However, there becomes a point where you realize that the Most High God dwells with you, and He is greater. You have confidence that God will work all things out. You have confidence that God will overwhelm the thing that’s overwhelming you only through the power of His Spirit.
The other night, my four-year-old girls asked if I would pray for them. They both said to me, will you pray that we don’t have any more nightmares? Instantly, I felt fear because I knew the enemy was attacking them because of me. For a moment, I became afraid and even felt a little guilty that my faith was now affecting them. Then I recalled 1 John 4:4, greater is He that’s in me than the one who is in the world. Slowly, the fear melted, and peace started to rule in my Spirit. The situation didn’t change, but my perspective did. Jesus is greater. Jesus is greater. Jesus is greater. Those three simple words have the power to give a soul-awakening peace with anything you face today or in the future.
APPLICATION: Jesus’ peace is greater than your problems
PRAYER: Ask the Spirit to reveal how you see His Jesus. Ask the Spirit to help you understand that Jesus is greater and His power is unequaled.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?