Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. – 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Let's continue with Gideon’s story. I want you to know that when God becomes Jehovah Shalom, the God of peace, and your life, He doesn't just soothe your emotions. He will lead you with His peace. For example, you may be making some decisions at your work, for your children, or perhaps even where and when to travel for your vacation. Talk to Jesus about it. He will lead and guide you with His peace. If there is peace from the Lord, go with that decision. If there is an absence of peace and you feel a sense of restraint, back away from it. You will find that guidance from the Lord comes very easily when God manifests Himself as Jehovah Shalom. In His peace, decisions don't feel forced and full of strife. In His peace, there is a rest. His peace will guide you supernaturally to be at the right place, at the right time, with the right people.
After our Lord called Gideon a man of valour, his response was: “Oh my Lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ but now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites” (Judges 6:13).
Doesn't Gideon remind us of ourselves? Instead of hearing what the Lord has just called him, he began to complain. “Why has the Lord forsaken us?” Astoundingly, the Lord simply turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” (Judges 6:14).
What? First, the Lord Jesus calls this man who is in hiding “a man of valour.” Now, He calls this complaining man, who is mad at God, to go in that might of his and save Israel? Shouldn't it be, “Be gone from my presence, you stinking complainer, I must have found the wrong guy”?
I am so glad that the Lord is not like you and me. He always calls the things that are not as though they are (see Romans 4:17). And I believe that as you receive a revelation of how the Lord is the God of peace in your life, you may be fearful and complaining now, but like Gideon, God will send you to be a testimony of His protection. He will send you to all your friends, co-workers, and loved ones who are bound by fear, and He will use you to deliver them from fear!
Today's Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You that I have Your promise that You will lead and guide me with Your peace. Thank You that as I am led by Your peace and rest, You will guide me to be at the right place at the right time with the right people. I believe that through Your protection over my life, others will see Your goodness and be delivered from fear. Amen.
Today’s Thought
My Lord Jesus, the God of peace, will lead and guide me with His peace to be at the right place at the right time with the right people.
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Prince, Joseph. The Prayer of Protection Devotional: Daily Strategies for Living Fearlessly In Dangerous Times.