Many people have related a recurring dream they had as children. You arrive at school and cannot remember how to get your locker open. Psychologists tell us this dream is the result of anxiety you had about being at school. Occasionally, I have an updated version of this dream. I am standing at a lectern that I have never seen before, before a group of people I don’t recognize. I know they are expecting me to teach them, but I stand there panicked because I am not prepared. I have no idea what to say. I somehow know it’s a dream and I wake up, but when I go back to sleep, the same thing happens. I have never asked a psychologist to evaluate this dream, but were I to do so, I’m sure he would tell me it is caused by stress over the responsibility I have to teach. Each of you could relate the effects stress has had on your life.
This stress can be blamed on many things. Too much responsibility, not enough time to fulfill the demands on our life, fear of the future, fear of the unknown or simply a lack of confidence. These are all circumstances that Satan can use to rob us of peace.
But it does not have to be this way. We can choose to allow our stress to be replaced by peace. This is not a decision based on our circumstances or on our psychological condition. The ability to experience peace is a gift God offers to men who are pursuing godliness. It is a benefit of being a redeemed child of God. Jesus reveals this to us in the Gospel of John 14:27 where he says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” To grasp the depth of assurance we can achieve from this promise, we need to remember the resumé of the one making it. When Isaiah was offering his prophecy concerning the coming of Jesus the Messiah, he said in Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
David was chosen by God and anointed as King of Israel. God promised he would have an heir on the throne forever. This promise was fulfilled through Jesus. His earthy genealogy traces through the line of David and he came as the King of Kings for all eternity. With this pedigree, you would think David’s job would have been a breeze. But before he was king, Saul tried to kill him. After becoming king, his son Absalom tried to take the throne from him in a revolt. That problem was barely solved when Sheba led a rebellion of the northern tribes against the reign of David. Each time he had to flee for his life. But in the middle of one of these times, David wrote in Psalm 4:1, Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. David had stress at a level most of us will never experience and his answer was to place his confidence in the hands of God through worship and appeal. In verses 7-8 of this same Psalm, David reveals the answer God provided. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
The word peace in Hebrew is shalom. It means the completion, fulfillment, unity, and harmony that come as a result of God’s presence. Next time life’s circumstances try to keep you awake at night or ruin your day, worship God. Seek his presence and choose to accept his peace.