I’ve written before about the fact that we live in an anxious age, where rushing and a frantic pace of life is the norm rather than the exception. We are in an age where peace is not valued nearly as highly as productivity and potential, and spending time in real rest (not just being entertained by television, video games, or the web) is almost unheard of. Little wonder that there is little peace in most of our lives.
And yet, if we are followers of Jesus, we are to be a people marked by peace. In all its quiet, solid, unhurriedness peace is to be one of the inedible distinctives of God’s people. After all, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11).
A question for you today – is your life marked by peace? Are you someone who carries peace with you?
The God of peace
In his conclusion to the epic letter to the church in Rome, the Apostle Paul writes, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (Romans 16:20). The Christian God is “the God of peace.” He is a God who is at peace and who gives peace to his people, as scripture after scripture attests to:
- “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
- “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
- “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. – Romans 14:17
- “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. – Galatians 1:3
The amazing thing about God’s peace is that it’s not passive. Restful and unhurried, yes. But it’s also a weapon – an offensive tool used to defeat his enemies.
Will soon crush Satan
The God of peace is the one who “will soon crush Satan”. God’s peace is a peace that defeats his enemies. This God of peace went to war, defeated sin, death, and Satan for the sake of rescuing humanity from the hole we’d put ourselves in. He did this so that we might have peace. As Paul writes in Ephesians, “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” (Ephesians 2:17)
Satan, the great enemy of God and humanity, the thief of peace and rest, has been defeated and will soon be crushed. But note how and where he is crushed.
Under your feet
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” God is the actor here, but thing being acted through is you and I. This God of peace is going to crush Satan under your feet. Let’s not miss the significance of this. God’s powerful peace will work through you to crush fear, anxiety, worry, and Satan.
Are you feeling frantic, opposed, or troubled today? Take a deep breath. Go to the God of peace, rest in his presence and trust in his power. Watch as his grace and peace increases in you, empowering you to crush the evil one and his opposition in your life.
But how?
How do we do this? Paul’s next sentence gives us a hint: “The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” God’s grace has been given to us in Jesus. Jesus himself promised that he would never leave of forsake his people. If you want to see the God of peace crush Satan in your life, you must receive the grace of Jesus.
One practical way to do this is to start by creating a space where you come before God to simply receive that grace. Not to study scripture or pour out your prayers and longings before him, though both of those things are good. Instead, simply come into God’s presence and receive.
Where in your life can you make space for peacefully coming into the presence of the God of peace? Find that place and meet with God there regularly, whether it’s in your car for 60 seconds before you enter work or in the quiet of your bedroom before you start getting ready for the day, make it a practice to meet with the God of peace and receive the grace of our Lord Jesus.
As you do so you’ll discover that God’s peace is a peace that defeats the opposition of the evil one even while you rest. And that’s very good news in this anxious age.
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