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Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Let His Peace Rule



 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

—Colossians 3:15

 

If there is one thing we can learn from hardship or worry, it is that they can steal our peace. When we endure hardship or experience fear, we, often look for encouragement from someone else or in improving circumstances. We attempt to reach an emotional place of peace instead of allowing the spiritual peace God has given us to rule in our hearts. His peace comes from within our hearts. It is not the peace we receive from circumstances or good feelings. The perfect love of God that lives in us carries us through any hardship without fear if we choose to draw upon it. 

 

The Amplified Bible Classic Edition expands Colossians 3:15 in this way: “And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” 

In sports, an umpire is a person who knows all the rules of the game and settles disputes. The peace of God is our umpire that knows all the rules and settles all disputes as to what the will of God is for our lives. We have to learn to listen to what the peace of God is trying to tell us. We need to give it priority in our lives and follow what it tells us.

God’s peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is something that every born-again believer possesses. His peace continually attempts to “umpire” and guide us, but many times we just don’t listen. We go against the peace of God in our hearts and act according to our game plan. Later, when tragedy becomes the result of a bad decision, we acknowledge the unease that initially existed in our hearts. That unease was the peace of God trying to rule in our hearts, but we were too determined to play by our rules instead of His.

There are some things we can do to assist the peace of God ruling in our hearts and “umpiring” us. 

We should contemplate all our options. Wrong decisions are made when all options are not given thorough consideration. And we can’t let doubt rule out what might be God’s possibilities. As we visualize the result of each different option, we should perceive a greater peace when we consider the option the Lord wishes for us. This does not mean there will be total peace with any choice. Within our born-again spirits, spiritual peace exists over the right choice. But since we are not always 100% completely in the Spirit, it is not unusual for there is be some questioning and unrest. Just as an umpire has to make a call, we need to be courageous enough to follow the decision that gives us the most peace.  

A ship has to be moving for its rudder to give it direction. That ship doesn’t have to be at full speed for its rudder to work, but that ship still has to move to receive direction. We, also, must move and step out in faith before the peace of God gives us perfect direction. Sometimes we will make a mistake. But when we make a wrong decision in faith trying to follow the peace of God in our hearts, the Lord will bless it more than indecisiveness and indecision (Romans 14:23, Proverbs 16:3).

The peace of God settles with finality all questions that arise in our minds. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). God’s peace is the state of mind in which we are always called to live. Total spiritual peace comes when we step out in faith trying to follow the peace of God. Praising God for His spiritual peace guards our hearts and acknowledges its priority in our lives. 

Hardship? Worry? Fear? Always follow the peace of God. Let it rule in your heart. 

 

© 2023 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2023/05/let-his-peace-rule.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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