How You Can Live with Peace and Hope In a Hostile World
As I read the following words, it amazed me how applicable they are for today.
Why are the nations so angry?
Psalm 2:1–3
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together against the Lord
and against His anointed one.
“Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
We long to live peaceful lives filled with hope but wars and rumors of war fill the news even as some of the loudest voices in culture shout their desire to be free from “slavery to God.”
It’s easy to get focused on what’s wrong when God invites us to focus with peace and hope on His TRUTH.
Look at the next verse…
The one who rules in heaven laughs.
Psalm 2:4
The Lord scoffs at them.
God laughs because He knows the outcome. He knows that when we’re focused on Him we don’t have to live in fear and frustration.
The Lord, our God, reigns—the kingdom, the power, and the glory are His forever and always.
Although battles will be threatened and even carried out God laughs because His plan was, is, and always will be victorious.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57
We don’t have to be afraid of climate change, wars, persecution, perversion, or any other form of rebellion against God and His people. We can live each day with peace and hope because we have been given victory through Jesus.
Yes, we should be good stewards of God’s creation. Yes, we should work for the good of mankind and speak the truth against persecution, perversion, and rebellion. But we don’t need to wring our hands in fear when we KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST the God who reigns supreme over everything and everyone.
There are those who wonder, if God is already victorious why does God allow evil to continue? Why does He allow hatred and wars and persecution?
His Word tells us it’s because He is merciful!
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
He wants everyone, even those who are screaming the loudest to be “free from slavery to God,” to open their hearts to His grace and mercy. He wants us to freely choose to become the people He created us to be.
People who know and trust that in Christ Jesus they are…
- Loved (1 John 4:9)
- Forgiven (Romans 4:6–8)
- Overcomers (1 John 5:4–5)
- Faithful (Philippians 3:8–10)
- Loving (John 13:34–35)
- Strong (1 Corinthians 16:13)
- Hopeful (Hebrews 6:18)
- God’s Own Child (Romans 8:15)
All because God’s promise is guaranteed…
For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
Psalm 2:6
in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”
Thousands of years ago, the Holy Spirit inspired David to tell the world that Jesus, the Lord’s “chosen king,” would be victorious and seated on the throne.
We can trust God always keeps His promises. We can live with peace and hope while we wait and watch for King Jesus to return and reign forever and always.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Live Each Day with Peace and Hope
Father, I turn on the news and my pulse quickens. Leaders of the world prepare for battle. Your children around the world are being persecuted. And even in our own nation, we hear it proclaimed, “Let us break [our] chains and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
It breaks my heart and unsettles me as the future feels uncertain. But then I continue to read David’s words that You laugh at their preparations, their rants, and their rage. I’m reminded that You’re not worried. Jesus already won the victory over sin, death, and the enemy of our souls. He currently sits on the throne in heaven and He will, at Your divine timing, sit on the throne of the New Heaven and Earth.
We have Your promises. I don’t need to be unsettled, anxious, or afraid. By Your grace and with Your Spirit’s help, I can live with peace and hope. I can trust Your grace, mercy, and love.
With Your help, I offer myself to Your loving care. Please forgive my sins. Please help me keep my heart and mind focused on Jesus. And whatever happens in the world around me . . . give me everything I need to trust You completely as I anticipate Jesus’ glorious return and my future in Your presence. Amen.
The Life Application Bible Notes add the following:
“People think they will be free if they can get away from God. Yet, inevitably, everyone serves somebody or something, whether a human king, an organization, or even one’s own selfish desires. Just as a fish is not free when it leaves the water and a tree is not free when it leaves the soil, we are not free when we leave the Lord.”
Jesus is the One who is able to set us free from sin, death, and the power of the enemy. When we KNOW, TRUST, and LOVE Him, we are free to truly be who we are created to be.
Pause today to remember that you have victory in Jesus and He will return…
There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
John 14:3–4
May God bless you and give You peace and hope.
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Hi Deb,
I want to Thank you for your devotions. They are very meaningful to me. You keep me focused on Jesus.
In God we trust,
Heidi
Thank you for your kindness, Heidi! I am so thankful that God has used me to bless and encourage you! I am blessed that you took the time to let me know! God bless you!
Jesus has set us free from the bonds of sin and death. All praise be to God!
Blessings, Deb!
His gracious love overwhelms me, Martha! Praising Him now and forever!
Lovely article. Thank you. Amen and God Bless.
Thank you! I appreciate your encouragement. God bless you!
Thank you, Deb…So much of what I see and hear these days is beyond what I could have ever imagined! I am continually in shock and disbelief and big-eyed stunned at all that is going on in our country. The devil as a roaring lion is devouring our entire nation (but then again, all this has been foretold). I pray continually, that God will open the hearts, eyes and ears to the lost and sick souls that mock and sit in disdainful judgement of Believers in Christ. HE IS ALIVE! HE IS IN CONTROL! And HE IS COMING BACK! Blessings!
Amen, Kathy! He is ALIVE, in CONTROL, and yes, HE IS COMING BACK!! Glory! God bless you, my friend!
Thank You ???? Deb have a Blessed Day ✨
God bless you, Robert!
While I know in my heart that what God foretold is unfolding in front of our eyes, it makes me angry. Especially when I see these worped new “standards” forced on children, exploit them and poison their mind and heart. Hardly can anything be a bigger crime than that. This generation puts Sodom and Gomorrah to shame. The level of corruption, idolization of money, power and control….Jesus told us that these will be the signs that God’s plan is nearing closure.
Yet, in the midst of all this, I constantly remind myself that despite, as Kathy said, that the devil is roaring on the earth – GOD IS IN CHARGE ????. Regardless how blood curling things are, how fearful they sometimes look….there is safety under our Lord’s wings.
I remember when I was a young kid, I always hoped that all these prophecies would come well after my time on earth….guess, that was one of my prayers, God didn’t grant ????
Despite my wavering, little faith, there is a conviction deep in my heart that whatever happens Jesus will stand by us as He promised and will help us along.
Amen, Gaby! God is in control and He will never leave us or forsake us!
Amen my friend ????????????
I understand what you’re saying, Gaby! When I look around, I just keep clinging to His promises and trusting that we are getting closer to His return every day. And while we wait . . . He is with us! Blessings, my friend!
Deb, thank you for your encouraging article. I am so grateful that God has already won the battle.❤????????
Amen, Deb! Me too! I am so thankful He is willing to give us what we need to stand in strength each day. Blessings!
Thank you for sharing some peace in our world today. Maree
Thank you, Maree! Blessings!