I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33

Quick Sip/Full Cup

Peace. We desire it so badly, and yet, it seems so elusive. In the Advent study I did last fall, two sets of verses really made an impression on me. They read:

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgements against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. ~Zeph. 3:14-15
 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be know to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Phil. 4:4-7
 

These two sets of verses both tell us the pathways to peace. Zephaniah reminds his readers of four things:

• Who they are – Daughter of Zion, Israel, Daughter of Jerusalem
• What God has done on their behalf – taken away the judgements against them and cleared away their enemies
• Who he is – King of Israel, the LORD (the eternal God)
• Where is he – In their midst

Philippians tells us that to find peace, we, too, need to remember these same four things. We are to:

• Bring our anxieties to him – remember we are his children and he cares about us
• Give thanks – to remind us of what he has done
• Rejoice in the Lord – To remind us of who he is
• Remember he is here with us

When we do these, God promises His peace will guard our hearts. Notice it’s not when we’re strong enough and do all the right things, but when we come to Him and remember.