Peace doesn’t come from the absence of problems. Peace comes from the presence of God.
In the Psalms we find struggle and strength. These chapters bring this out with a reiteration of what it is that actually unlocks strength in our lives.
Psalms 29:11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! ESV
The Hebrew word here that translates, “peace” is the very interesting word, “shalom”.
Shalom gives this idea of nothing missing, nothing broken. It translates peace more than anything else, but it also translates prosperity. If you’ve ever been in a difficult situation where you were unable to pay your bills you know that is a great challenge to our peace. Shalom also translates “healing.” If you’ve ever had an unnerving doctor’s report, you know how that can be an absolute challenge to your peace.
When circumstances disrupt your peace it’s time to go to war. The way we go to war is to press into the presence of God inviting his guidance and direction every step of the way! I am not a victim of circumstance. I’m a child of God who is equipped by God to live from an entirely different perspective.
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your (gentleness) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand (or near); 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ESV
I’ve really had to wrestle with this next statement but it is born from the reality of this Philippians 4 command to rejoice always. Since this is a commandment in Scripture it makes joy a moral obligation of obedience. Interestingly, this word rejoice is the verb tense of the noun joy, but it is not a word that can be accomplished in isolation. It speaks of a joyful celebration in the form of community, or in the context of community. Realize community is a place where God promises his presence in a special way. It is truly God’s presence that becomes our weapon in challenging times!
Psalms 16:5-11 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also, my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. ESV
Prayer tends to be worry in God’s direction. Jesus didn’t say pray whatever comes to mind. Being honest with God is important and he cares about how you feel but invite his perspective into your language so you’re releasing what God is saying about your situation. You are designed by God to be more of a thermostat than you are a thermometer. You’re not just gauging the temperature of a situation. You are setting the tone for what’s to become!
All of this is born from a place of rest and revelation. Prayer is relaxing into God's goodness as you practice abiding in Him.
Psalms 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ESV
You are commanded to live in this place of joy but this is not the pursuit of a sheer determination to be joyful. This joyful disposition is the result of experiencing the presence of God as your way of life.
St Ignatius said, “Always try to keep your soul in peace and quiet, ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you.
GP2RL: Be intentional about making room this week to rest in God’s presence and God’s goodness as you continue reading the Psalms.
Presence, Peace, and Wellness
DISCUSSION GUIDE
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: Psalms unveils the authenticity of humanity in the, sometimes painful, but always beautiful pursuit of God. The beauty is that God never wastes a single hurt if we are willing to give it to Him.
We can judge God according to our circumstances or we can judge our circumstances according to our God. God is good even in our times of pain and desperation. We live in a fallen world, but we look to a Risen King.
Two thirds of the Psalms are what scholars call lament. So often, our greatest purpose is born from our deepest pain. May we press in and go deeper in our authentic pursuit of the heart of God as we explore the treasures of Psalms.
It is a good thing to hear what God is revealing in the hearts of those around us. Feel free to use this question however you feel it fits in your time together as a group.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: to help develop a context for a greater understanding of the verses for today. Psalms opens with beautiful imagery of God’s people being like fruitful trees planted by streams of water.
2. What are some common causes of stress in our world today?
3. How does stress affect our physical, emotional and mental well-being?
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your (gentleness) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand (or near); 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ESV
Psalms 16:5-11 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also, my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. ESV
4. What stands out to you about these verses especially when you consider the highlight ed phrases pointing to God’s presence in our lives?
5. What are some ways you purpose to remain at peace even when the storms of life are raging around you?
6. How will you apply, specifically, our action point this week?
Everywhere we go, we bring...
GP2RL: Read two chapters a day in Psalms. As you read pause to give voice to the emotions you identify with in prayer before the Lord.