Peace Precedes and Supercedes Receiving

UV 1176/10,000 Peace Precedes and Supercedes Receiving

Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

I Samuel 1 v 17

Hannah was much troubled by her barrenness and her inability to have a child. She fasted and prayed and came to Eli the priest for prayer. Eli sent her away, saying, “ Go in peace..” Indeed, peace is not contingent on the circumstances we find ourselves in. Peace should precede answers to prayer and not be a result of our prayers being answered. Peace is more important than even the things we seek in prayer. The enemy of our souls is called a thief and robber by Jesus as he steals our peace.
Jesus also spoke these words, “ Go in peace..” to many distressed people who came to Him for healing. He told the woman who touched His clothes to receive a healing of a chronic problem of bleeding: “ Go in peace, your faith has made you whole.” Our lack of faith in God is what disturbs our peace. When we believe in Jesus, our peace is restored and we are made whole in spirit, mind and body. Circumstances cannot and should not alter the peace of God in us. When situations become turbulent, we can use the authority Jesus gives us and say as He said to the stormy winds and waves, “ Peace, be still.” Peace is the attribute by which we live and rule over every circumstance in our lives.

Peace is an absolute sense of assurance that God is in control of our lives and whatever happens, He will take care of us. The deficiencies of our lives are a secondary matter that will be addressed in due course, whether now or later or in His time. He will grant our petitions. We need not wrestle with Him or be restless and insecure but know that as we submit our problems and our requests to Him surrounded by the peace of His presence, filled with the joy of His intimacy and blessed by the assurance of His sufficiency, He will grant that which we lack, that which we need, that which we ask. Scripture is full of testimonies of people asking for what they need and receiving it in thankfulness. Abraham received an heir in the promised child, Isaac. Israel received the promised land. Solomon received the wisdom he asked for. People received the Messiah they prayed for. But peace precedes and supercedes both the asking and the receiving.

Prateep V Philip