Judges 6:34 So the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon [and empowered him]; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called together to follow him.
“The will of God will never take you, where the grace of God cannot keep you, where the arms of God cannot support you, where the riches of God cannot supply your needs, where the power of God cannot endow you.” Everything happens for a purpose – Billy Graham.
The fruit of peace ripens in the tumultuous typhoon and the power of God makes us triumphant over the tempest. The Spirit of the Lord is always in us and with us to lead, guide and coach but He comes upon us and clothes us with courage like a condor to overcome the crisis. The Spirit of the Lord will empower a wimp and transform him into a courageous winner. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). The power of God will clothe us with strength to overcome the trial and the peace of God will transform us into a testimony through the tempest.
Peace cannot be perfected in quietness when our boat is cruising on still waters. Peace is a facet of the fruit of the Spirit that is developed in a peril. Peace in the perplexing problem is found in Jesus. Tranquility is developed in a tornado that is beyond our control.
Gideon and his father Joash were from the family of Abiezrites, one of the weakest clans in the tribe of Manasseh. The Lord chose the least of the least, the timid and weakest to lead Israel to fight the formidable enemy. Gideon’s trust in the Lord was perfected in adversity and the power of God turned his timidity into bravery.
Peace and Power perfected in the furnace:
1. Peace: Problems are not permitted to perplex and petrify us but to perfect the fruit of peace. The harshness of reality is the cold wind that can freeze us with fear. Shut yourself in the warm presence of the Lord to ripen the fruit of peace. Take your eyes away from the facts and see through the eyes of faith. There is perfect peace in His presence even in the midst of a raging tempest.
2. Power: Power without peace is like a horse without bridle. Perfect peace is the unshakable trust in the Lord which will be the bridle on our emotions and reactions. Unshakable trust will increase the viscosity of the power of God to beat through the storm, victoriously.
3. Purpose: There is a purpose for every storm even if we cannot see it. Wait patiently for the dark stormy clouds to disperse to see the beauty of the rainbow and the purpose behind the storm.
The fruit of peace is nurtured in the heat of the problems and the power of God is manifested in the peril.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Prayer: Jesus my Saviour, create the fruit of perfect peace in this squall and clothe me with power to soar over the storm. Amen.
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