By Collin Ross
One of the most consequential days of ministry that I’ve had occurred when ministering to a woman on her deathbed. She had lived a long life, and her family had gathered around her bed for prayer and comfort. I had the honor of leading a brief service of prayer and worship at her bedside, culminating in the celebration of communion. As we shared the bread and wine, we remembered the promise of resurrection. The Lord was present with us, and we all noted a strong sense of peace. We were all still sad, but we trusted that our God was with us even in death, and that made all the difference.
We all want to find peace. Growing up, my father would always say he wanted “peace of mind” for Christmas. Now a parent myself, I can relate to his desire. Of course, peace, as it is spoken about in Scripture, means far more than a quiet home or the absence of violence. When Paul describes God in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 as the “Lord of peace,” he is signifying that God is the one who brings well-being and fullness of life. And isn’t that what we want? More than the lack of strife or disaster, we want to be at rest in the fullness of God’s redeemed world.
When the Israelites were getting ready to set out into the wilderness and journey to the land promised to them by God, Moses was unwilling to take a single step without the Lord. He knew he could not lead the nation without God’s presence in their midst. We’ve all been on the precipice of the unknown. The illusion of control falters, and we cringe at just how powerless and small we are. We are paralyzed by fear given the possible outcomes. But the Lord calms Moses’s fears when He promises, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). That’s all Moses needed to hear. That’s all we need to hear. The Lord of peace goes with us day in and day out. The perennial question for us is do we believe it?
When the Apostle Paul was wrapping up his letter to the church in Rome—a church community rife with internal strife and external pressures—he told them where to find peace. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe” (Romans 15:13). Paul knew that the Lord’s presence brings peace. It is not a matter of inviting God into our lives. He is with us now, ready to give His children eternal peace. Do we believe it?
8 thoughts on "The Peace of God’s Presence"
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Kelly (NEO) says:
Good morning, guys. Sorry to invade your space but the day’s readings are not posted on SRT yet…
And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.”
Floors me that God said to Moses twice, “I know you by name.”
Shalom, the peace that comes from God, be yours today.
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Searching says:
My apologies as well for stepping in here.
KELLY (NEO) Reading that this morning broke me, God knows me by name. I knew it, but to read it in His words was overwhelming.
Praying for spoken and unspoken requests. -
Sharon, Jersey Girl says:
“It is not a matter of inviting God into our lives. He is with us now, ready to give His children eternal peace. Do we believe it?” God is with us, what a joy to know. He is our peace, Amen. My prayers today are for all those who don’t yet believe it, that they may acknowledge His presence, accept His peace, lay all of their burdens at the cross and lean into Him. Receive the peace that is waiting right there for them and that they will overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit.
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Donna Wolcott says:
He knows me by name and He walks with me and talks with me. Praise and amen. Prayers 🙏 lifted.
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Rhonda J. says:
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!
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Dave M says:
As a HRT regular who found this site from his lovely SRT Bride, I know this reply board can be a rather sparse when it comes to responses from the fellas, so it is a blessing to see the connectivity of the SRT community when exploring and absorbing the Word of God.
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KAC says:
Yes! The gift of community found in the body of Christ!
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H Z says:
If God is for us, who can stand against us?
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