Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Background

Many of us have quoted this verse to ourselves in conjunction with the verse preceding it to remind us to pray rather than worry. It reminds us of the power of God to take care of us, regarding both our circumstances and our peace of mind. It claims of supernatural protection beyond what we can obtain of ourselves. This verse also is commonly-used when it comes to sympathy cards, and that seems to be based on the idea that grief is seen as such a robber of peace. Sorrow and loss are viewed as the enemy to our peaceful state of mind. But I have not found that to be the case. Rather, in the sorrow and mourning that I am experiencing, there has been an accompanying peace that truly is beyond my understanding. I can attribute this to several things, not the least of which is the prayers of so many on behalf of me and my family. Even when I have had nothing to pray from my own heart, when I have sat empty and expressionless, God has seemed as near to me as I have ever felt Him. It is as if I am sitting right before Him, helpless and bent, and He just surrounds and envelops me with Himself. The grief has not robbed me of peace, but it has placed before me the opportunity to do something with it. If I were to try to manage it of my own devices or use the self-help gurus’ methods for grief management, then there would be a battle, and grief would be the enemy.

Application

But I find myself more in the realm of being one of the blessed ones who mourn, for they shall be comforted. And I get it now. The blessing isn’t that comfort eventually comes and replaces the mourning. That is more of a factor of time. No, the blessing is the comfort that is in the midst of the mourning. My heart and mind have truly been guarded against the unpleasant places that comfortless mourning can take you. There is a sadness, but there is no badness about it. So, take what you will from this devotion. But know that the prayers of many are effective, and His peace guards like no fortress ever built by man. And trust that I will pray for you if I know you are suffering.

Charge

As we seek Him today, thank God that He understands what it is to suffer. And thank Him that He has a peace and comfort that will perfectly fit your situation.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words