Why do you come to study the Word of God? You may have different reasons on different days — as I do. But Jesus gave us a reason — peace.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Jesus said His Words were to give us peace — peace in Him. He knew (and reminded us) that the world was full of trouble and lacking in peace, but that He was not subject to the world — He has overcome the world. Through resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven, He conquered death and all the power of this world.
As a mother, I want my child to understand that the things I tell her are for her good, they are meant to help, not to hurt. I remind her of this often because some of the things I say to her can be difficult to hear. They may sound harsh or difficult. And so it is with God. He often has challenging things for us in His Word. Because of this, Jesus, tells us the reason for His words — PEACE.
But how does that happen? What about the Word of God that brings me peace?
One of the ways that God’s Word brings peace to me (and to all who seek to study and know God through His Word) is that it teaches us who He is. It tells us of His character, His attributes, His likes, His dislikes — even what God hates.
God is sovereign over all things.
Another way of saying God is sovereign is to say that He is over all things – nothing and no one or power is more powerful than God. He is the ultimate power. His Word makes this clear and many ways, but here are just a couple to encourage you – to bring you peace.
God is above all other Kings and Lords.
He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. 1 Timothy 6:15-16
God is above all other powers (earthly, heavenly and demonic)
(Consider) the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:20-21
God will not allow anything to come between us and His love for us.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Because God is the most powerful being in every realm, I can experience peace. Regardless of the circumstances, I can rest in the knowledge that He is on my side –and that I belong to Him.