Peace - or is that Pieces?

The fourth evidence of knowing God is this - "those that know God have a great contentment in God." Sometimes it seems as if our lives are falling to pieces around us. We feel as if nothing is going our way. The same is true for other people in our lives. Some people face the same situations - or worse - and seem to maintain a great sense of peace and contenment, while others seem to crumble under the slightest pressure.

If we truly know God - if we trust Him - if He is really who we believe Him to be - it makes absolutely no sense for us to live in a state of worry or anxiety in life. Stress can't change the past and it can't control the future - it only makes us miserable in the moment.

The bible never promises that just becasue we are Christians life will be without problems and or troubles. In fact it says just the opposite. The bible says in James 1:2 "...when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." Not IF, but WHEN. Trouble is going to come - that's part of life. But what do we do with it when it comes?

If we KNOW God, then we should know that He is in control. That He loves us and is watching out for us. If we KNOW God as our personal Shepherd and Lord we should be able to trust Him with everything that is important to us and know that His plan is for our betterment.

Perhaps my favorite example of this is found in the bible in the Old Testament story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (That's Rack, Shack, and Benny for you Veggie Tales Fans.)

When King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden statue and demanded that everyone bow down and worship this image. Rack, Shack, and Benny refused.

Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:13-18, NLT)

Only through truly KNOWING GOD, not just knowing about God could these men have such peace and contentment in the face of mortal danger. They KNEW GOD, they knew that they could trust Him - regardless of the outcome, they could trust Him.

How about you - when life gets tough do you have the PEACE that comes from truly knowing God, or do you fall to PIECES wondering how you will ever make it through the tough situation you find yourself in?