Fear Not! A Journey From Fear To Freedom预览

  

Peace Trumps Fear

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV). 

There are very few things in the world that you cannot put a price on, but the peace Jesus speaks of here is one of them. The good news for believers is that peace, like salvation, is a free gift. Those who have received it in unsettling situations realize how valuable it is; but for most of the world, they have no idea what they are missing. 

Satan plays on your fears, but one drop of peace will totally diffuse any fear. “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:20). Just as light trumps darkness, blessings trump curses, so peace trumps fear. “

The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, this is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace’” (Num. 6:22–26, NIV). Of all the things God could give the Israelites, He gave them peace. This should speak volumes to us as to exactly how precious peace is. 

So how does one acquire peace? Fortunately, Paul tells us exactly how we obtain it: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6–7, NIV). 

Webster defines petition as “a solemn, earnest plea or request to a superior or to those in authority.” So we are to take everything (big and small) to God in prayer via a petition. Once you present your requests to God, you set them down at His feet. Then you are to thank the Lord. The net result of this (transaction, if you will) is the peace of God will fill your heart if you can leave that request at His feet and not go back and pick it up. Do not be afraid of the challenges you face today, but take them all to the Lord in prayer. 

Prayer: Lord, I will take all my petitions to You in prayer with thanksgiving. I pray You flood me with Your peace today—the peace that passes all understanding. After I give my petitions to You, may I not ask for them back. In Jesus name, amen.