The God of peace

Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. — Philippians 4:9

Paul doesn’t just speak of God. The founder of the church in Philippi speaks of the God—our God—of peace. Our God of peace isn’t distant, difficult or even demanding. According to Paul, our God of peace is with us.

Here are two questions Paul likely asked to those he met in Philippi, a well-developed place that lacked a presence of worship. If he could, Paul would also ask these two questions to us. Are we with peace with God? Are we doing what we can to be at peace with God and with those around us?

No one I know wakes wanting a day of upset or upheaval. Instead, having peace is a universal desire. When we put into practice what we have learned (or can learn) from Paul, then yes, this universal God of peace is with us, and, in turn and in time, with the world around us.

Let’s put into practice what we have learned and received from Paul—or can learn and receive from Paul. Let’s spend time with what he said and did because it’s true: this God of peace is the same God who is present, so very present to us.

PRAYER: Father, as You were present to Paul, be present to us. Give us peace that comes not from ourselves, but from You, the God of peace. Amen.