“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace.” Isaiah 55:12 NIV
“God’s will is accompanied with peace; God’s peace is accompanied by joy.”
My thoughts today are about “joy and peace.”
The world is a troubled place, and in such a world there are situations troubling to both heart and mind. Trouble disrupts peace in general and persons in particular. Trouble disrupts in many forms: financial worries, disagreements, family strains, stress at work, health challenges, relational conflicts, uncertainty about today and tomorrows, and comes in other disguises – things the Bible calls “the cares of this life.” Mark 4:19 NKJV. Trouble worries and wearies you, distracting thoughts, confusing emotions, and magnifying distress. God’s peace makes the difference whatever the cause of your distress.
A dear friend, Campbell, often spoke of a different source of unrest in a person’s heart, one that is a blessing rather than problem. What I describe is the word “dispeace,” not commonly used nor much understood. As I understand the word, dispeace describes the nagging absence of inner peace – the almost silent disquiet of heart that tries to tell you with the smallest of whispers that something is not as it should be. His counsel was that I never ignore that inner dispeace. It is a caution God gives a pure heart.
Here’s the problem for many: if you have never really experienced a wondrous and sovereign, peace of heart and mind, you may not as easily recognize the absence of that. God’s will is always accompanied with peace, and God’s peace is accompanied by joy. You may not have perfect understanding of every detail of God’s will, but you should expect a profound sense of inner peace when walking in God’s will. You may not be able to answer every question your mind asks, but your spirit simply knows your heart is secure in peace.
The Bible explains this experience this way, “Always be full of joy in the Lord – rejoice! . . don’t worry about anything . . pray about everything. If you do this you will experience God’s peace . . The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ . . and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 NLT/NIV. Peace in your heart becomes the setting for a joyful spirit.
The Bible context of God’s peace is greater than the euphoric absence of problems; peace is not about being trouble free. The promise of peace is most prized in the midst of things about which you would otherwise be anxious and concerned, when you hear God whisper to your heart that you need not be. That’s the promise of today’s verse, “You will be go out with joy and be led forth in peace.” God’s peace will lead you through any trouble and into joy!
My prayer for you today is: do not ignore the still small voice of God offering peace.