By: Brandon Bilbo

 

An Answer of Peace

 

John 14:27 "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."

 

Have you ever been shopping for a gift for someone and you just don't know what to buy? You may even feel like you know this person inside and out. However, it's still difficult to find that "perfect" gift, and when you do settle on something, the gift will eventually go out of style, break or be used up depending upon the nature of the gift.

 

While the gifts that we are able to give to each other are often short-lived and limited in its purpose, God has a gift for all of us that is sure to get us through each day--His peace.

 

Genesis 41:16 says, "And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh AN ANSWER OF PEACE."

 

In this verse, Joseph was answering and interpreting the dream of Pharaoh. Pharaoh was very troubled, but God answered him with PEACE.

 

Have you ever spoken to someone who was totally "stressed out?" Usually that individual's response is NOT an answer of peace. Thankfully, God is not stressed out by anything.  He created the world simply by His words! Although we may be panicking because of something that is momentary, He isn't worried about a thing!  He knows the beginning from the end, and He has YOUR entire world in His hands. So when we ask Him for something, His response is not out of stress. He answers with PEACE.

 

No matter what question you may have today or what trial you may be facing, an answer of peace awaits you. I've often heard that you should "follow your peace." Although not every detail of His plans is clear to us immediately, we should always search for the gift of peace in everything we do.

 

My challenge to you today is to talk to God and ask Him for His peace. Even if everything is seemingly going right for you, now is still the time to seek His peace. Then, when the trials come, you'll ALSO be able to ANSWER WITH PEACE.

 

Dear Lord, I thank You that in You I can have peace. I pray that You would make a pathway of peace for me in every situation I face.