THE PEACE OF GOD THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING
Apr
8
Written by:
4/8/2011 12:00 AM
THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING
April 3, 2011
(Phil 4:6 NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil 4:7 NIV) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
My last message was called “ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE HEAVENS BUT ALSO THE EARTH.” All but the conclusion of the message was written by the night of March 10, 2011. On the afternoon of the next day Japan was struck by the greatest earthquake every recorded in Japan. In the message I stated that God speaks to us is through circumstances. The shakings that have been coming on the earth and those that will come are extreme circumstances that God uses to speak to people. For Japan a good example was World War II. After the war had ended Japan was devastated. All the large cities except Kyoto, the industries and the transportation system were severely damaged. Japan was very open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ after the war.
There have been many wars, earthquakes, famines and other fearful events since the time Jesus ascended into Heaven. However, these events will increase in frequency and intensity until Jesus Christ returns. Since 1980, the frequency of major earthquakes has increased greatly as well as deaths from earthquakes. New Zealand experienced a devastating earth quake early this year in Christ Church. It was the second powerful earthquake in 7 months. The country of Japan is one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world. Every year there are thousands of minor earthquakes in Japan. During the 21 years that we have been in Japan there have been a few very powerful earthquakes, including the Great Hanshin earthquake. The frequent earthquakes in Japan are a reminder of the threat of the “big one.” Tokyo sits on the intersection of three continental plates. Tokyo was devastated by a great earth quake in 1923 as well as one in 1855. Tokyo has suffered a severe earthquake every 70 years or so since records have been kept in 1600. It has been 88 years since the city was last hit by a major earthquake in 1923. The next major earthquake is long overdue.
The Great Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake that struck on the afternoon of March 11, 2011, did not strike Tokyo directly, but there was a lot of damage in the Tokyo area. The earthquake is now considered the mostly costly natural disaster in the world. The earthquake and tsunami after the earthquake caused a great loss of life. Also, many have been forced to evacuate their homes because of the failure of the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The situation is still not under control.
Many thousands of foreigners have left Japan. Thousands of people have cancelled tours to Japan. Many factories are still shut down. There is a shortage of electrical power that will become even worse in the summer. Even before the earthquake Japan had a great economic crisis with a huge public debt. Naturally, many people now have great fear in Japan. In the midst of the great crisis Japan is facing is it still possible to have peace? I believe it is! In fact, the Bible tells us about a peace that surpasses all understanding. The good news is that this peace is available to everyone. We can have peace even when we are in a situation where it seems impossible to have peace. There are two keys to receive this peace.
The first key is have a right relationship with God. The peace does not come from the world, but from God. (John 14:27 NIV) 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. Jesus also talked about this peace in the 16th chapter of John. (John 16:33 NIV) "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." As long as we are in this world we will have trouble. Nevertheless, we can have peace that comes only from God. However, we can only receive this peace after we become a Christian.
The second key to receiving this peace is to give our cares and concerns to God in prayer. (Mat 11:28 NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:29 NIV) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Mat 11:30 NIV) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Before we become a Christian we carry all our own burdens. That includes all our worries and fears. Jesus does not want us to be anxious about anything. (Phil 4:6 NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. We need to trust God with every part of our lives. Then we will receive the peace of God which transcends all understanding. (Isa 26:3 NIV) You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.