Bad news crashes into our feeling of ‘all is well’. An unexpected storm sweeps away plans for a quiet day. A smooth path of life suddenly become rough. We’re constantly reminded that tranquillity is a fragile thing in our troubled world. The Shepherd of our journey doesn’t iron out the path to ensure ‘smooth and straight’ all the way. But he does promise to lead us in peace… even when calm changes to stormy.
The peace of God is beyond understanding1 and can’t be experienced outside of Christ.2 It’s more than a feeling of calm. His peace is the deep inner wellbeing given to those who rest in him.
God’s peace also has a guardian role. As custodian of our inner being (heart and mind), his peace witnesses with choices that please him and warns us about those that don’t (Phil 4:7).
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace (Isaiah 55:12).
That verse carries a beautiful gospel message, but the prophet’s initial audience was the Jewish exiles. God promises them joy in leaving Babylon, and peace in journeying to Jerusalem.
Release from a 70-year exile is good news. Of course, they will go out in joy, with a song of freedom to celebrate their new chapter in God’s mercy. But, be led forth in peace?
A quick rewind to their first exodus: led forth from captivity in Egypt. They left in a rush, in anguish and terror3. But now, God promises them a journey in peace. What’s different about this exodus?
It helps that the Babylonian king is a restoration supporter—unlike the angry pharaoh who tried to crush the first exodus. But peace is more than the absence of trouble.
Before his led forth in peace announcement, the Lord says something about himself to change how they think and feel about their journey.
He tells them that – whatever they think of themselves, or their journey and future – his thoughts are bigger, much higher and infinitely better than theirs. And as he speaks those thoughts concerning them, his words shape their future beyond anything they could plan themselves. Like a soaking rain, his words will transform their landscape, and do for them what they are powerless to do for themselves (Is 55:9-13).
It’s a magnificent truth! In fact, their journey and future are so certain that he announces it will serve his eternal renown (v13). If they will rest in what he says, they WILL journey in peace!
In our everyday decisions, as well as major changes of direction in life, the witness of peace will confirm our steps that agree with God’s desires. PRAYER has an important role in keeping us alert and responsive to his witness of peace.
The Lord wants us to talk to him about everything (activities, conversations…).4 Not just at the start of the day or reporting to him at its end. We’re encouraged to be in conversation with him IN everything, in both the mundane and the major things. Through that ongoing conversation, the Holy Spirit keeps us alert to the witness of peace.
Ponder Jesus’ words in John 14:27, my peace I give you… Celebrate (express gladness at) the Lord’s blessing of peace. Then, thank him for what being led in peace means for you in every area of life.
Perhaps you are praying about a decision, or taking a significant step. There are various ways the Lord confirms his will, but his witness of peace is always an important monitor of whether a step pleases him.
- Has the Lord said something about himself that applies to this step in your journey? Set aside time to ponder that truth, pray it back to him (in praise, thanks, desire to experience that truth more deeply), and tell him of your choice to rest in what he has said.
- Re-read Phil 4:6-7. As you talk to the Lord about your motive/reason(s) for considering that step, do you find that…
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- your praying is full of appreciation for his grace and thankfulness for his goodness?
- you are resting in his ownership of your journey (not striving to make something happen), and that your heart and mind are in peace regarding the step?
- you are seeing (at least, in a measure) how the step will honour the Lord (Is 55:13b)?
1Phil 4:7 2Jhn 14:27 3Ex 12:39, 14:10 4Col 3:17
