Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace…
2 Chronicles 24:28
LORD, as I look at this verse of Scripture today, I know that Josiah dies in war. To my human mind it does not feel like he was gathered to his grave in peace. Far from it, it feels like his reign was anything but that. When I look at the disruption to life as they knew it that he brought, it does not seem “peaceful” but instead seems like turmoil.
Yet, my soul this today confesses that I often look at my life condition and the seeming “calm” around me and equate that to peace. Yet, this is not the peace You give nor promised. Instead, the peace that comes from You is a peace of spirit that knows that I am in right relationship with You, doing what You have called me to do in the moment, even if it causes waves in my life and the lives of those around me.
Jesus declared that in this life I will have trials and tribulations. At the same time, He promised me His peace. The two are both so very true and yet often so very conflicted. LORD, grant me the Christ kind of peace today, that will enable me to confront the challenges of this day knowing that I am not just doing what You have called me to do, but doing so with the Holy Spirit giving me Your peace and assurance. Grant me the spiritual boldness to be disruptive and shake things up to Your glory, while having the peace of mind that comes from knowing that You are in control. Give me discernment to recognize the difference between the world’s peace and Your peace, and continue to transform my desires such that I pursue Yours. I give You my whole heart and life today afresh. Use me, please, in Jesus’ Name.