“I’ve been looking for a way out, but I’ll settle for a peace of mind.” –Lecrae

(“I’ll Find You”)

Philippians 4:7

When Saul turned against David and began pursuing him unto death, David had to feel many levels of betrayal. He had served Saul and honored him through his dedication as a warrior. To become the hunted of the man he faithfully followed had to have been a tremendous burden for David. In 1 Samuel 24:3-4, we learned that David got close enough to Saul that he was able to cut off a piece of his robe without Saul even knowing it. This means that David could have killed Saul; David’s men even encouraged him to do so by saying that the Lord had delivered Saul to them to rid David of this problem (v. 4). But David declined, saying, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord” (v. 6).

There was a way out for David, an opportunity for him to escape being the hunted. But he didn't take it, instead choosing to wait for God’s hand in the situation. In my life, I’ve looked for ways of escape, the way out of troublesome situations. I’ve wanted trying times to end so that the discomfort of feeling trapped would end. In those times, it has been better for me to seek the peace of Christ instead, because difficult situations don’t always end when we want them to. On the contrary, they end when they are supposed to end.

Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The reality is we will have trouble. We will sometimes feel cornered and trapped by circumstances. This is why reliance on Philippians 4:7 is so important and vital to our faith. This scripture assures us that it is possible to have peace that flies in the face of logic and what we know to be “true”. Instead of looking to be released from problems, we can rest in His peace, in knowing that our hearts and minds do not have to be troubled! We can be in the battle, but still have our peace as we fight.

Prayer for Release: Lord, thank you that regardless of my situation, I can still have Your peace. Thank you that it can be mine and that all it takes is a remembrance of who You are and what You have done through sending Your Son. I do not have to be captive to situations or how they make me feel. Peace is mine to choose.