What God Alone Can Give

Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. (2 Thessalonians 3:16, Amplified Bible)

“God will give you peace and joy.” We pass that sign several times each week as we run errands and go about our activities. It’s the sign in front of a small community church not far from us. It’s been the same for at least the last year, maybe even longer. What I most love about it is its simplicity and subtleness. It’s not fancy, not cliché-ish or dramatic, just plain and simply stating something God does in the lives of humans when we let him in. Each time we drive past I wonder how many have not only read it as many times as we have, but remembered it during a time they were troubled, facing challenges, feeling lost, hopeless, discouraged, dealing with the tough issues of their lives…  

Peace and joy are part of God’s nature, two of his attributes and what he naturally brings with him when he enters or is invited into the human heart, or thoughts. He does not make us understand how he does it. We do not have to know the how this divine, unseen, holy force can pull off such a wondrous thing in complex humans; just accept that he can. If we are lacking either one—or both—we can know whom to go to, where we can find it.

There are no magical incantations to say, no perfect prayers to pray, it’s not an inside Christian secret only the most spiritual can have access to or experience, it is for all who turn to him and ask him for his peace and joy. Let’s Pray,

We live in a world, Lord, where peace and joy are in short supply. Many are empty, weary, discouraged, unhappy, disillusioned, and hopeless but you can give them what they need, you can help them have both peace and joy even when so many other things are lacking. We invite you into our lives and ask you to give us that must needed peace and joy. Amen

Reflective Questions for Soul-Tending:

Are you in need of peace and or joy? Have you been looking I the right place? if you already have these gifts from God, have you shared with others how you got them?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of soul-care?