“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV).
When I reread this passage recently, I was struck by something I had never seen before. Paul instructed us to stop worrying, go to God with prayer and supplication, and thank him. However, he never said anything about being guaranteed answers. Paul said nothing about receiving a word of direction, deliverance, miracles or healing. Instead, he said we receive something better: a gift of the peace of God.
In other words, God’s first answer to our every prayer and heart-cry is his peace. All praying people have this one thing in common: No matter how bad they feel going into their secret closet of prayer, they come out filled with his peace. God has limited himself to his own government. This is known as the providence of God. He does things here and there, preparing people’s hearts and orchestrating events; but until his providence works out the answer to your prayer, he says, “I am going to give you not what you think you need but what I know you need: peace of mind and heart.”
Many of us wrestle with the Lord in prayer. We petition him with crying and tears; we pound heaven’s gates; we claim every promise. As the days, weeks and months go by, we begin to wonder, “Why won’t you answer, Lord? What is blocking my prayer? What have I done to grieve or displease you?”
The fact is that God already has said to us, “Here is my peace that passes all understanding! Take it, and let it rule in your heart while I work out all things for your good.” We are to be kept in God’s peace and let it guard our hearts and minds until his promise is worked out by the Holy Spirit.
Hold on to his peace, and let it rule and reign in your heart!