Articles
True Peace
As humans we can sometimes find it so hard to find peace or contentment in our lives. It is as though we try to take on the whole weight of our lives as well as the world. In doing so we forget the most powerful source of peace we could ever have inside of us: God.
So often during times of struggle we ask for signs as proof to know that God is there. In Judges chapter 6 the Israelites were suffering in the land of the Amorites due to worshiping false idols. Despite talking to the angel of the Lord who was telling Gideon he would save Israel and be safe, Gideon still challenged God, questioning if God was indeed with him. After God gave him a sign and promising that he would not die, Gideon still was afraid, destroying Baal’s altar in the cover of night instead of during the day. God gave Gideon an army to defeat his foes with and even then, he still needed proof from God two more times. What can be learned from Gideon’s story?
Much like Gideon, the Lord is still speaking to us today. He does this through the opportunities He gives us, the love He has put into our lives, and most importantly His Word. We may be thinking that Gideon had an advantage, that he was speaking to God directly. We may be envious thinking, "If only we had that in our situations, if only we could ask God directly." We already can. If Gideon had the complete spoken word that we have today, then maybe he could have realized that the true test of courage wasn’t facing his family or an army. It was his faith and trust in God.
Like Isaac in Genesis 26, we may have to struggle digging a few wells before we reach the water we are looking for. But we must remember that with God in our hearts we will reach that water. As it is written in Hebrews 12, “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm…But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (verse 18,22).
This is also why we try our best to not fear harsh times or God’s discipline, because “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). This is but one way to help see God and live with His peace.
We must also be wise in taming our tongue. It is with our tongue, our thoughts, and our actions that we praise the Lord and we can not be Godlike if we also curse with it. As James 3 states, such thoughts as bitterness, selfish ambition, and others that are not loving and humble are not wisdom that comes from heaven, but evil that comes from the world.
We must remember it is not our place to judge, punish, or cling to such actions or thoughts that would lead us astray. Love must be sincere, and we must try our best to act peacefully, not seeking revenge, but thinking with humble, sober judgement. Finally, we must encourage each others' gifts and help one another strive to praise God and live for Him (Romans 12:14-21).
