A Place of Peace

Friday, March 20th, 2010

Today's Passage: Psalm 46
Memory Verse: Ps. 46:1-2

I heard a story of a group of artists who were once asked to paint their best interpretation of peace. Most of these artists depicted serenely beautiful sceneries of birds flying, or calm waters, or even the sun setting on the horizon. But one artist in particular did the opposite. He painted a storm in its roughest moment, with the winds blowing away everything in sight -- except for this bird, which was nestled safely in the cleft of a rock, hidden from the violence and completely unmoved. When asked why he chose this image to depict peace, the artist said something to this effect: "Peace is not peace until it's tested."

Looking around us today, there's quite a bit of violence all around us. The enemy is waging war against us in all its forms. But there's something about being in a raging storm, all hell breaking loose around you, and not one ounce of fear arising. In this passage, the writers declare that God is our "refuge" and "strength"; two words that indicate a need to escape extreme turmoil. I personally have experienced a feeling of helplessness while bombs were being dropped around me during the civil war in my country, Liberia. But because my parents had taught us to turn to God, I was able to literally retreat into that place of refuge, finding peace in a violent time just like that bird.

Today, I speak and declare peace to any and everyone who may be experiencing war in any of its forms. It could be a traumatic situation that happened long ago that the enemy is still using to keep you from moving forward. Or it may be something that happened recently, or is happening in your life right now. I declare over you that your God, Jehovah Shalom, is a Very Present Help and a refuge for You. Therefore, you will not fear, even though your world is shaken and moved into the middle of the sea. May God's peace surround you, filling and making you stable as God brings the healing. Today and everyday henceforth, may God provide for you a place of peace.

Prayer: Father, I pray for my brothers and sisters all over the world today who are going through situations only You can deliver them from. I declare that, even in the most heartbreaking and trying circumstances, You will be their refuge and strength, a Very Present Help in trouble. Thank You for being that for me time and time again. I will always find my place of peace in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.