Session 12

God is peace

From What is God Like? A 21-Day Devotional

In Judges 6:11-24 Gideon’s hiding away, head down, working hard. Many of us could say the same about our day to day. How often do we toil away rarely lifting our eyes off our tasks to have an encounter with the Lord?

God calls Gideon to take his eyes off his tasks and onto Him. When God gives Gideon the details of His plan, it's clear that Gideon’s self-evaluation falls much shorter than God’s view of him. Gideon is so caught off guard he questions God (Judges 6:15). In a simple plea starting with “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon basically tells God, “You must be mistaken! Not me! I’m weak, unequipped, not capable! You can't mean me, Lord!” Gideon trembles with fear of the unknown, his anxious thoughts made clear in his words.

When we doubt and face fear we can know that we can have peace.

The story doesn’t end here though. Even when we experience doubt and fear, we can know that we can have peace. In God’s infinite goodness, He fills Gideon with the fullness of His peace. He will do the same for us. Gideon is so overwhelmed after his encounter with God that he stops and worships right where he stands, building an altar to the Lord. He called the altar Jehovah-Shalom or “The Lord is Peace” (Judges 6:24). He is changed in that moment from doubt-filled to peace-filled.

Spending time with the Lord in prayer, in worship, and in reading His word enables us to experience the peace that can only come from our Creator. He knows what we face and what we fear, and He is faithful to equip us to move forward in confidence. In peace.

Reflect:

• What is one way you can make regular time with the Lord a priority in your day to day routine?
• When was one time you experienced God’s peace in your life?  
• In what area do you need to ask God for peace?