Abide, Adore, Ask and Agree: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting With Rock City ChurchSample

DAY 13

A life lived in fear contradicts a life lived in the peace of God, which may be why God begins his greeting to Gideon with both "peace" and "do not be afraid." Many people will spend a lifetime searching for peace and never find it because they are looking for peace as if it is a thing to possess. The reality is peace isn't something but Someone.

Let's compare Judges 6:23-24 with Deuteronomy 31:8, which says, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." In this second passage, the words that precede "do not be afraid" are not "peace" but rather the presence of God. Because God goes before us and with us, we do not need to fear. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit – who is our peace – “which guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Gideon acknowledged this truth and built an altar to the Lord, calling it Jehovah-Shalom, "The Lord is Peace." Altars are constructed to help us remember God's faithfulness. Gideon's altar marked the place where God visited Him, creating a visual reminder for years to come.

We all have a unique history with the Lord, and as each history lengthens, there are increasingly more memories in which God has revealed His presence to us. These moments, whether salvation, baptism, deliverance, healing, or the restoration of a relationship, all serve as altars. Looking to these altars while walking through difficult seasons of life can fill us with peace as we hear God say once more, "I am still with you, do not be afraid."

REFLECTION

Peace doesn’t come through the absence of fear or anxiety. Rather, the presence of God drives out fear and anxiety. Take a few minutes thanking God for His presence with you.

PRAYER FOCUS

Pray for the Lord's peace.