SETTLED IN GOD’S POWER

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee – Isaiah 26:3

When people pass through difficult or tough times, they could either rationalize or console themselves, believing that things would change some day; or they could try to build up an “inner strength” against outward pressures or external turbulence. Sometimes, inner strength can come from the conviction that what one is fighting for is a just and right cause, the steadying support of others, or the confirming Presence of God. None however can compare with the Perfect Peace that derives from being settled in God’s Presence and Power. God gives us His children, the privilege of being able to settle down in Him.

Those who try to depend on human and natural means as sources of their inner strength often become utterly disappointed. Devices such as Yoga, relaxation techniques or transcendental meditation can provide only very limited and transient measures of fortitude that can rarely withstand the storms of life or guarantee peace. Inner Peace and Strength are not based on human principles or techniques but on the knowledge of God – of His Person and His Power: “the people that do know their God shall be strong and shall do exploits” (Dan.11:32b). Paul declared: “that I may KNOW HIM and the POWER of His resurrection…” (Phil.3:10).

How well do you know God? How intimate are you with His Person and His Power? Do you know Him well enough to rest your whole weight on Him? Do you know Him well enough to be grounded, rooted and settled in Him? There can be no enjoyment of a ride or a flight, or of life as a whole, unless you learn to put your whole weight down – learn to be settled! Yet, this world provides nothing on which we can fully rest our weight. Have you learned to settle down in God? Have you learned to trust God so completely that no matter what happens on the surface of life, your heart’s depths remain tranquil? The ocean may appear turbulent with waves crashing and tumbling on the surface, while some metres below, all is calm and serene. In God, you can be like that – settled in Him, no matter the assailing storms of life. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, STRENGTHEN, SETTLE you” (1 Pet.5:10).