After a couple of years characterized by sorrow, my family was ready for a fresh start. On the heels of fresh grief from the death of my husband’s mom, we moved our family of five—the newest member being only two months old—to a new town. We were worn out and weary but ready to welcome the fresh start coming our way.
As we settled into our home, I longed for the familiar even though I knew I needed to embrace the new. After a few weeks, the novelty of living in a new place was still there, but I was also beginning to process all of the loss our family had walked through the year prior. Imagine my surprise when days into the new year, just one month after our move, I awoke in the middle of the night with a fever and chills racking my body. I was struck down with COVID, bedridden and angry with the unfortunate turn of events.
So often, we look to our circumstances to provide peace for us. But the benefit of walking with God is that He Himself is our peace. In Exodus 33:12 and 15, we read Moses’s plea for the people of Israel as he says to the Lord, “Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor with me’…If your presence does not go…don’t make us go up from here.” Moses saw the Lord help him and the Israelites through insurmountable obstacles. There were moments of doubt and triumph alike. Now as the next part of the story began to unfold, the cry of Moses’s heart was, “Lord, don’t leave me now!” He needed the reassurance of a God whose unfailing love would not let go.
Great was the temptation to pin my hopes on a new year and a new town to bring me peace and joy after a year full of transitions and sorrow. However, while lying in bed with no option but to rest, God showed me that in His presence, there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). The solitude I experienced while sick in bed brought me to a place of gratitude for God as the only constant in the midst of a season characterized by loss. I received the help offered to me from my husband, family, and friends. I chose to remember His faithfulness in my yesterdays, knowing that He would be the same tomorrow. Each of us fights the temptation to allow the experiences of our lives to define our peace, but the only source of peace and joy is the presence of Christ.
Leave a Reply
64 thoughts on "The Peace of God’s Presence"
Peace and joy – sounds like a wonderful combination and we can receive both of those through God’s presence- and we have the Holy Spirit so those things are always accessible to us. Why do I feel like at times I cannot feel/experience them. Is it my busyness, lack of just taking a moment to connect with him, or is it more than that? Pondering a practical step to connect for the peace and joy that I so deeply need
I’m thankful that we serve an ever present God that is in everything that we do and are part of. We are not an island but instead we serve a God that knows all our ways and He knows in which path we should walk and is always leading us into it. Thank you God for your presence and the peace and joy that comes with it.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11 ESV
Exodus 33:15 “If you don’t go Father” … “don’t make us go” ❤️
“Choose to remember His faithfulness in your yesterdays, knowing that He will be the same tomorrow.” Claiming this over today and my life.
I struggled alot when I moved to a new town for work, I then worked hard to move back home but realised I still wasn’t happy. God was and is still teaching me something. True joy and peace isn’t in the place, circumstance or people. But in Him Alone. Thank God that His Arms are always open to receive us even when we error❤
“The secret to my joy is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.” – Elizabeth Elliott
Amen. It’s so important to remember that God is there even in the toughest of times. When we feel lost just look to the lord for comfort
It is so easy to forget that God is there in good times and bad. When it is easy we forget to acknowledge it is he that makes it easy. In the bad times it is easy to blame God for not being there when in reality he has gone nowhere.
I too experience such loss during COVID: 8 family members, my closest supports moved away, my church fell apart, & I was raped. I feel as though I never was able to dig myself out or grieve either. I am a single mom with 2 children and had no choice but to push forward. This is the first summer I have heard Gods stirring to be still and rest in his peace. And as I reflect, I recognize the gifts of physical safety that was given! I am opening more and more and allowing family from a far to support me. Feeling very loved and grateful right now!
There
We often go through so much, and it seems that we are never get through it. Or there’s never been a trial or test as hard as this one. And then just when we think oh I found a place of normalcy, we are hit with another test. We’re wondering why? why is it I can never find peace.? Why cant I be scotch free from pain, and hurt, and death, and sickness?. And in this trial, we see God‘s peace is with us the whole time. What I’ve come to realize that the Lord is preparing us for the very next matter in our lives, he can’t afford for us to live life scotch free. Because then we will forget who our creator really is, we will forget where our help comes from. So each trial in your life is preparing you for the next battle, we are in warfare all the time, and the Bible reminds us to put on the whole armor of God. Trust in the Lord in all thine ways and he shall direct your part!!
Real peace is found in His presence!
❤️
❤️
Unfortunately I’m so busy being a working mom I have no time to just rest and reflect. Only when the Lord forces me to rest will I have rest.
Amen!!!
Some of my favorites versus in this passages being Psalm 23:1-6.
Such a beautiful reminder that he is our protection and comforter always.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. It’s a pain that is hard to understand and so different than loosing any other type of relative. I had a miscarriage a couple years ago and it’s not a fun club to be a part of, but know I’ll be praying for you and for God’s peace to cover you through the grief. Peace does not need to mean smiling and jumping for joy all of a sudden. For me, the peace I experienced afterwards came more so from having a wider perspective of eternity and a longing to get to heaven to meet that baby. It also gave me peace to feel more connected to all the other women that have had to endure that horrible pain. 2 Cor 1:3-5 helped with this perspective:
Amen! Such a good reminder! I had a similar experience when I moved jobs trying to run away from a stressful situation but I just ended up in a different flavor of work stress. My coworker who was a believer encouraged me by telling me peace comes from Christ – not a less stressful job. A couple years later, we bought our first house. We were so overwhelmed with all the new responsibilities and I remember my husband saying “wasn’t the point of this to move towards a more peaceful lifestyle?” And I remember feeling inspired by my coworkers words and told him peace comes from Christ not this new house. And now I’m already finding myself thinking my second baby on the way is going to miraculously solve all the pain in our lives after a couple hard years filled with different types of grief and so this reading was a great reminder to not expect peace from this new child, but to walk with Christ and find my peace there no matter what lies ahead. Thank you!
My peace comes from You alone. May I run to you rather than to other things. You are my hope. Help me to trust in You. You have never failed me. Why would You fail me now?
Amen
My peace comes from my relationship with the Lord Amen!
I would love prayers for that peace no matter the situation. I lost my first baby 48 days ago during pregnancy and I feel like I’ll never be the same ago. I am struggling with depression during this season and fear that this will only happen again.
Praying over you Sydney. Your feelings are justified, when you’re ready- lean into God. He will be there
I will be praying for you, Sydney. I recommend this book by Adriel Booker, Grace Like Scarlett. It’s an outstanding grieving with hope after miscarriage and loss. Blessings.
May you feel that you are met and loved and held in your deep grief, Sydney. We are with you.
My Deepest Prayers! I like so many others have been where you are sitting! I almost lost my life to the grief I carried and the lies I told myself during the grief. Keep your eyes on the Lord, call upon the people he placed in your life to provide comfort. And know that you are never alone! We are all connected through God’s Love and know that so many of us are to hold you because we have sat on the same space!
Thank you LORD for your faithful love, your rod and your staff comfort me.
Amen
@Deanna Warkentin- Make sure to listen to Lauren Daigle-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_aVFVveJNs
I lost my husband of 19 years 8 years ago. This song brought me much hope in that struggle. I have great faith and I know that God has him plan and he will not leave me but instead give me strength.
God Bless!
Patricia Terry
❤
What a good reminder. God knows my name. I should write that on my mirror. God knows my name. I “know” this but I often feel so alone and forget to reach out.
Yes, me too!
I needed this and I know others who do as well. Our circumstances are not our peace, God is! Amen!
Lord, help me to fix my eyes on you. You are my source for peace and joy!
A little late to the game but I really liked the after Bible passage on how God is the only constant in our lives. With everything going on in my life right now making me under significant stress and strain, that sentence woke me right up to the reality that God IS our only constant. Our lives may be crazy and uncertain, but God is always there, certain and unchanging. He is our foundation, our rock, our comforter. It’s so humbling and calming to consider!
I love what God told Moses… His presence will go with him, and He will give him rest. His presence is the rest we need!!
Amen
I was comforted by this devo and scripture passages this morning.
I lost my husband of 65 years in December and my brother, who had just come to live with me, in February!
I knew I was strong and a planner but I also had to learn to give God control of my life and recognize that he knows my needs better than I do. He goes before and with me!
Wow! I needed this scripture and devotion today. Our circumstances are not our peace, God is.
I have wandered over to He Reads Truth as it is keeping up with the current day’s reading. So good!
Thank You Jesus, Prince of Peace. I receive Your gift of Peace. Please fill the hearts and minds of my family, loved ones and all eyes reading this with Your perfect Peace and Love. In Jesus name, Amen
This. ❤️ I too have a similar story. I do this often. When things aren’t going well, I believe I will have peace when I move…whether that is a job, home, or whatever it maybe. But it’s not the “things” that give me peace. It’s God. I know the scriptures yet the feeling remains. Lord I am praying for endurance during my wilderness. I pray that I will remember your promises and the peace and comfort that only you can provide. And you provide the peace I need in the wilderness and the oasis. Lord forgive me for “forgetting” who you are. You are the God that parted the Red Sea. And gave the Israelites dry ground to cross over. You are the Prince of Peace. Amen.❤️
❤️
♥️
This was so good. ❤️
Today’s readings are so reassuring! God brings us peace despite what we may be going through. He brings us joy even when we may feel anything but happiness. He is our solitude when we are walking through dark times. We should not fear because God will always and forever be our peace. In the devotional it said “God is the only constant in the midst of a season characterized by loss” and I truly believe that. Going through my own season of loss I am slowly starting to learn that the only thing that hasn’t changed is God’s presence. He was here in the beginning even when I pushed him away and He’s here now, working in my life to bring me peace during my grief journey. I can feel his peaceful presence more than ever now and He just fills me with so much joy. Thank you all for the prayers. I’m sending all my love and hugs to you wonderful women ❤️
I can so relate to Jessica, the author of our devotional today. I so often try to find peace in my circumstances, when there is peace with Jesus no matter what my circumstances are. I pray that I would rest in him no matter what my circumstances may be.
@ Jennifer I completely agree! I am still learning to lean into God and His peace rather than try to create my own.
TINA: very powerful, your “even when” statements
Mari V: absolutely
MERCY: it sounds, from reading the whole verse in different translations, that obedience is what brings or puts us into that rest. Very good thought to ponder….
The devotional was not up this morning is the reason for so few comments…some of us posted on HRT! I copied mine and pasting here!
RHONDA J. SAYS:
April 4, 2024 at 9:14 am
Amen! Let the chaos end! Jesus, the presence of Jesus within us, BRINGS peace and joy!! When you walk it out by adding additional foundations such as staying in the word, prayer and meditation, seeking him in situations, you can rest with his peace in confidence! Don’t we all want that? I know people that drain me, they always have discord in their lives, complain, and can’t seem to be happy. I have always been a “cup half full” kinda gal, But God, He gives us more than optimism…He gives us rest. In this crazy life, in hardships and loss, we can still trust in him, our God and Savior, the Lord of my life!!
Amen and amen, we PRAISE you Lord and thank you for your Mercy and Grace! We would be dead in our sins, But YOU, you loved us enough to have a relationship with us. We find redemption and restoration in you alone. Because of your goodness, we are free.
As I was going to sleep last night, with more comfort in my soul than the night before, I thanked each of you by name knowing you were praying for me! What a privilege to know my She’s can and are praying for me and each other!
@Tina- so beautiful.
@Kris-so good and @Mercy! :)
We had a wonderful, wonderful jail ministry session yesterday with 3 new girls, and the several that are usually there. We played one of their favorite songs and I wanted to share it here because it seems to resonate with so many. Nothing was sweeter than hearing them sing this song out and turning their hearts to God to give them peace! The song is by Yolanda Adams- “I’m Gonna Be Ready!”
The loss of my daughter hit me hard, on many many levels. She was my first born. She was my best friend. She was my encourager. My ally.
I argued with God about her dying, I was not a kind person to God, as I stood at the altar of my local church. I disrespected Him in His church…
BUT GOD..
After months of this tirade, I sat down on a pew in the church, exhausted, I fell asleep, And in that sleep, His peace filled presence found me..
Even when.. I was vile to Him, He gave me rest.
Even when.. I accused Him of all sorts, He moved closer to my broken heart.
Even when.. I threw my all at Him, He was moulding and moving my heart, I just didn’t know it.
Even when.. I was lost, broken, inconsolable, He gave me a peace by showing me where my girl was..
That was the beginning of my ‘Gods peace presence’.
I have, by no means arrived at eternal peace, but I know that His presence and His peace is all I need right now for all to be well, and it is..
Thank you Lord God, Thank you for your presence in my life..
It is well.
AMEN.
Happy Thursday my loves..❤️
@ Tina I can relate to your story on so many levels. I lost my baby girl last November and I pushed God away and kept asking “Why me? Why did you have to take my daughter?” I was mad and didn’t understand. I know now that it wasn’t my place to understand God’s will. Even if it makes me unhappy, He is working in my life in ways I can’t comprehend and that’s okay. He has brought me closer to Him through my loss and although I miss my baby so much, I know she’s safe with Him. I am not at eternal peace either, probably have a long way to go actually lol, but I know too that God is bringing me peace in ways that I need now and I thank Him for that.
Hi all. Is anyone having a problem with the app? I am loving this study! I love all of your comments! Praying for the requests as I see them.
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14).
A great teacher in the Word used to say this, I paraphrase, sleep is for the dead, but rest is for those who are alive in God, so check children of God if you’re sleeping or resting. This statement really stirred up some self check for me, that sent me to prayers. May we rest in the Lord. Another verses came up in mind, “labour to enter His rest”, “make every effort to enter that rest”, “strive to enter that rest”, “do your best to enter that rest”, “be diligent to enter into that rest”, “labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief” (Hebrews 4:11 KJV), a few translation there to make sure I got the meaning good. I used to question, why this warning? Should we just rest? It’s not that simple. Because they won’t let us rest. Period. They won’t. This world and all its godlessness will tempt us with ALL the cunning devices to be “more productive”, “expand”, “increase”, and be restless. NOTE: restlessness is the state of demons (“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none”- Matthew 12:43). Rest in the Lord.
May we make every effort to resist the Martha mindset, to adapt the Mary mindset, despite the many complaints to guilt us into the temptation.
“But only ONE thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).
@KRISTINA: praying for your country Ukraine and the Lord’s salvation.
@MIA FAITH: holding your family in prayers.
@MICHELLE PATIRE: prayers over your heart and mind. Families sadly can cut the deepest.
** Side note, How unusual for me to start later and only 3 comments lol. Missing you dear shes.
Be blessed dear sisters.
@Kris, hope it’s OK to say I echo your words this morning.
I just love Moses’ response to God, ““If your presence does not go,” Moses responded to him, “don’t make us go up from here.” I hope this is ALWAYS my response to everything. I won’t go or do or think or feel or decided or say or plan unless it’s God’s will and He is in it. I just have done too many things without consulting Him or obeying Him. And I’ve had to pay the consequences. I don’t want to do that any more. I really do want to do HIS will in everything. The biggest stumbling block for me is waiting on God. I want to move fast, I want to get stuff done. And He is wanting me to wait for His direction. Wait with faith and trust in Him. Slow down and just be. Why do I have to rush into everything? This is a lesson I’m trying to learn
@ Kris I am right there with you! Sometimes I can be impatient and waiting for God to show me His will is a test that sometimes I fail. I pray that as I move forward in my journey to grow closer to God that I learn to be patient and wait for Him to show me His will. I pray that as I continue forward I take God with me in everything I do and every decision that I make.
Amen to this. That part struck me too. I want to have a response like this to God instead of going on my own. I want his peace to be with me always and to be set apart
Thank you Lord for your Peace and Presence!
❤️