At All Times, in Every Way
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” I Thess 3:16 (ESV)
Life seems a little…uncertain lately. The climate, the terrain of our society has shifted. Christianity is no longer hailed as a good thing, but rather, we are viewed as intolerant and hateful. Within the Christian church world, I keep hearing predictions of a coming economic collapse. Judgment that is to fall on America. A shaking. All of those things, to the human mind, can be very frightening.
Growing up, I always viewed the rapture of the Church as an almost random act. “Now you see us, now you don’t!” But lately, my views have changed. I believe that before we are gathered together with Him in the clouds of the air, life will be increasingly difficult. Evil will increase. Christians will get less comfortable. We will be pressed by the world to look for- and long for- His appearing.
Whether you believe in pre-tribulation, post-tribulation, or mid-tribulation rapture of the saints, surely you agree that it is closer than it once was!
Having said all of that, my eyes and mind go back to the verse. The Lord of peace. A person rules or lords over something that they possess. Elsewhere in Scripture it says that Jesus is our peace. He, within Himself, is our peace. And not only is He our peace, but He gives us peace. He shares parts of Himself with us. So great is His love for you, Child of God. He takes of His divine, peaceful nature, and freely distributes it to us as we have need of it.
I love all of the descriptives in this verse- at all times; in every way; the Lord be with you all. How totally inclusive is this package of peace that He offers. It is available at all times and in every way! And He is with us all! Doesn’t that gladden your heart?
No matter what we face in the world, now or in the future…no matter what we face individually in our lives…the answer, the antidote, is the same. Jesus, the Prince of Peace!
He is our portion. Our Sustainer. He will rule over us with a watchful and caring eye. We can- and must!- trust in Him fully. He will be what we need.
Should you take financial precautions? Probably. Is it going to be harder to be a Christian? Definitely. Will the Lord keep us from all trouble? Absolutely not.
I do not say these things to be a prophet(ess) of doom, or a naysayer. I am just mimicking my Lord who clearly stated:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Jesus said that you will have trouble. But in Him. In HIM! You may have peace. Everything we are facing- He has already overcome. He is victorious and it is subject to Him. He is in control, friend! He has got it covered. He has a plan to cover you. Rest in His glorious peace.
Dear Lord, I pray for all that read these words today to feel the hovering power of your presence. Wash them with bucket loads of peace. Multiply their faith, peace and trust, that you have everything under control. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen!
© Sherri Evans Ministries 2015. All rights reserved. Used by permission. For booking schedule and information: sherrievans@sherrievansministries.com
bless you.
Yes, we will have trouble in this world, but like you said: peace in found in and through Him.