No Matter What Happens

Reading: 1 Kings 4-5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Thessalonians 3 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times no matter what happens. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT) Just a reminder: the Christ-followers in Thessalonica had been suffering persecution since the very beginning of their life of faith. Some had lost jobs, others faced boycott of their businesses, and in some cases they experienced physical abuse and violent opposition. They really needed Paul’s encouragement in the two letters he sent them. They especially needed to hear about the certainty of Jesus’ victorious return and of their place of eternal peace and safety with Christ in heaven. But they also needed some help and encouragement dealing with the things they faced everyday—the pressure, and the uncertainty about what might come their way. So Paul did the best thing he could possibly do for them—he prayed for them! Paul prayed that God himself would give them peace no matter what happens! Psalm 112 tells us that when we trust in God, we don’t have to fear what happens next. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. (Psalm 112:7 NLT) Here’s how Paul prayed it:
• May the Lord of peace himself give you his peace! God is the Lord of peace. He himself (not another) is giving us peace. Not human peace, but God’s own peace!
• Peace at all times! Not just on good days, but on the best days and the worst days, and in the middle of the night, too. Peace at all times!
• No matter what happens! May God give us the peace that passes all understanding, and may we have his peace even if the bottom drops out! This is not circumstantial peace, but peace from the inside out! No matter what happens! Prayer:

Father, I pray for myself, my family, and for all my friends who read these words. I pray that you, the God of peace, will give us your peace. Please give us your peace at all times and in all situations. No matter what happens! We trust you and we will not live in fear. No matter what happens! In Jesus’ Name!