How to Find Peace
“Sir, it’s over. We are done for .”
The warning seemed to fall on deaf ears.
“Sir, are you listening? We are surrounded.”
At last, the old man looked over at his young charge. For several moments their eyes locked, and time seemed to stand still. Then the elder spoke.
“Show me.”
Spurred back into action, the younger man raced to the window and threw it open.
“There,” he shouted, pointing.
The old man made his way to the window, unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world. He cast his eyes upon the scene before him. Surrounding the small settlement were more soldiers than he had ever seen. His enemies had finally found him, and they were out for blood.
“What are we going to do?” his aide asked, tears forming at the corners of his eyes.
This is the situation that the prophet Elisha found himself in (2 Kings 6:13-16). He was surrounded by enemy soldiers that were sent to capture him. His young servant was terrified, but he was not. He was calm. He was quiet. He was at peace.
How could that be possible?
What If 2021 Isn’t Any Better?
In many ways, we can experience similar situations. Of course, we aren’t surrounded by a vengeful militia, but we can feel like danger is on every side.
COVID-19 has put a constant strain on us.
Finances are uncertain.
Jobs are tenuous.
Relationships are tense.
We thought 2020 would never come to an end and, when it did, 2021 doesn’t seem to be significantly better.
We find ourselves in a panic. Anxious. Worried. At our wit’s end.
We want peace, and we think that if only this pandemic were over, we’d be at peace. If only we could get a job, we’d be at peace. If only a cheque would come in the mail, we’d be at peace.
We want peace, and we think that if only this pandemic were over, we’d be at peace. If only we could get a job, we’d be at peace. If only a cheque would come in the mail, we’d be at peace.
But what if those “if only’s” never occur? Is peace, then, just an unattainable dream?
Peace Is Possible
Let’s look back at Elisha’s situation.
There he was, looking out over the enemy. Outnumbered, outgunned, out of luck. He could hear his servant’s laboured breathing, could feel his unharnessed fear. Again, their eyes locked.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Did Elisha just wink?
Had he lost his mind? Had the pressure finally gotten to him?
He raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Open my servant’s eyes, Lord, that he may see.”
Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
The armies of heaven were in battle formation around the armies of Elisha’s enemies. That was why Elisha was so calm. God was with him, surrounding him, protecting him. He was confident in the Lord.
Was his mind rehearsing the words found in Psalm 139?
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
His peace did not come from any earthly source; it was firmly established in the God he worshiped. And that God would not let him down.
As I have struggled through all of what 2020 brought and what 2021 may bring, I have found that my only source of true peace comes from the same place.
There is a reason why the scriptures tell us to fix our eyes on Jesus. When we take our eyes off of him, our current situations can loom enormously, insurmountably large. It can feel like there is no hope, that our present reality will be our forever reality. But Jesus has other things to say to us.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Did Jesus just wink?
When we fix our eyes on Jesus, our difficulties become right-sized. We are reminded that he is above it all. He is watching out for us. He holds us in the palm of his hand. When all else fails, when our dreams are dashed, and even our worst-case scenarios come true, we are still close to the heart of God through Jesus Christ.
When all else fails, when our dreams are dashed, and even our worst-case scenarios come true, we are still close to the heart of God through Jesus Christ.
We can be at peace.
So, I breathe in his presence. He opens my eyes, and I see him all around. I rest in him.
And whenever my anxiety and worry start to build up in me anew, I choose to remember that “…those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
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